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

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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, 2:17 PM