Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel of Gujarat stated that the relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has significantly strengthened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He made these comments at the inaugural ceremony of Investopia Global held in Ahmedabad on July 23, 2026. Patel noted that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has transformed the UAE into India’s third-largest trading partner, marking a milestone in bilateral trade.

During his address, the Chief Minister remarked that the event is indicative of India’s emerging global stature, referring to the country as a “Vishwamitra”. He highlighted the historic visit of Prime Minister Modi to the UAE in 2015, which was the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 34 years. Prime Minister Modi has visited the UAE seven times since then, further solidifying the partnership. Similarly, the UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has visited India five times.

Patel recalled the honour of welcoming the UAE President to Gujarat during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2024, reinforcing the cultural and economic bonds that exist between the two nations.

Strengthening Cultural and Economic Links

In his address, Chief Minister Patel stressed the importance of cultural connections alongside economic ties, referencing the establishment of the first Hindu Swaminarayan Temple in Abu Dhabi as a symbol of this relationship. He expressed confidence that the current event signifies a partnership between two civilisations and economies, historically linked by maritime trade through the Arabian Sea.

He further explained the impact of the CEPA, which was signed in 2022, claiming that it has profoundly transformed the economic landscape between India and the UAE. As a result of this agreement, the UAE has become a significant commercial partner for India. Patel elaborated that Gujarat plays a crucial role in this trade, exporting a variety of products including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and textiles to the UAE.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the partnership is more than just economic; it enhances Gujarat’s position in the global supply chain. He elaborated on Gujarat’s pivotal role in India’s maritime strategy, functioning as a major gateway with a vast network of ports and a burgeoning renewable energy sector.

Future Prospects and Investment Opportunities

Looking ahead, Chief Minister Patel highlighted numerous opportunities for tourism in Gujarat, focusing on its diverse attractions such as spiritual tourism and adventure tourism. He linked these opportunities to the broader visions of “Viksit Bharat” by Prime Minister Modi and the UAE’s “We the UAE 2031”, assessing that collaboration between Gujarat and the UAE could significantly contribute to achieving these ambitious goals.

The Chief Minister made an appeal to UAE business leaders to explore new ventures in Gujarat, which he described as India’s top investment destination. UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, acknowledged the ongoing economic cooperation, noting that bilateral trade between India and the UAE surpassed $100 billion in 2025, with a goal of reaching $200 billion by 2032.

Al Marri also presented insights into the UAE’s economic growth, highlighting a GDP growth rate of 5.6 per cent in 2025 and the robust non-oil sector, which now accounts for over 77.3 per cent of the UAE’s GDP. He emphasised the emerging significance of GIFT City in India-UAE financial relations and called for concrete action on various MoUs aimed at enhancing cooperation in critical sectors.

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