UAE and India trade agreement will lead to a 'glorious shared future', Jaishankar says

The pact will lead to new opportunities in trade, boost investments and deepen the two countries' strategic partnership, India’s External Affairs Minister says

UAE and India sign landmark trade deal

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and UAE’s Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, with prime minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Adnan Abidi / Reuters
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The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that the UAE and India are signing on Friday marks a “milestone” in their relations and will lead to a "glorious, shared future", according to a top Indian diplomat.

The agreement will open new opportunities in the trade of goods and services, boost investments and deepen the two countries' strategic partnership, S Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, told the UAE’s state-run news agency WAM on Friday.

"The signing of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement during a virtual summit between our leaders is a milestone event in our bilateral relations," he said.

The Cepa is expected to boost bilateral non-oil trade from to $100 billion in the next five years, from $40bn prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UAE-India Cepa negotiations started five months ago.

Updated: February 18, 2022, 6:13 PM