India–UAE Convene Third CEPA Joint Committee Meeting; Bilateral Trade Crosses USD 100 Billion

India and the UAE successfully convened the third meeting of the Joint Committee under the India–UAE CEPA in New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Ajay Bhadoo and Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs, UAE, H.E Juma Al Kait. Both sides welcomed the strong growth in bilateral trade, which crossed USD 100.06 billion in FY 2024–25, reflecting a robust increase of 19.6% and reaffirming the UAE’s position as one of India’s key trading partners. The India-UAE Joint Commission serves as the primary institutional mechanism to review progress, address challenges, and implement the CEPA.

The two sides conducted a comprehensive review of progress under CEPA and detailed discussions were held on market access issues, data sharing, allocation of Gold TRQ, anti-dumping matters, services, Rules of Origin, BIS licensing etc. The India side also briefed the UAE on its recent decision to allocate Gold TRQ through a transparent competitive bidding process.

Both sides reviewed recent high-level engagements, including meetings between Hon’ble Commerce & Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and H.E. Dr. Thani in Mumbai and Dubai. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding non-oil/ non precious metal trade towards the USD 100 billion target by 2030. Discussions also covered regulatory cooperation in pharmaceuticals, resolution of issues related to Certificates of Origin, BIS coordination, and early signing of the MoU on Food Safety and Technical Requirements between Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India and Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (MoCCAE), UAE.

The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to strengthen trade facilitation, regulatory collaboration, data sharing and convening of Services Subcommittee meeting. The UAE delegation also had a meeting with Commerce Secretary, Shri Rajesh Agrawal where issues related to optimum CEPA utilisation by both sides were discussed. The visit of the UAE delegation underscores the commitment of both countries to deepen the balance of trade, expand market opportunities, and further reinforce the strategic partnership under CEPA.