Dubai Chambers Highlights Expanding Trade and Investment Ties Between Dubai and India at World Leaders Forum in New Delhi
Dubai Chambers has shed light on the continuous expansion of economic ties between Dubai and India, fueled by escalating trade and investment flows, as well as increasing collaboration in future-oriented sectors.
Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, discussed the strength of bilateral relations during a panel session at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2026 in New Delhi. The event brought together prominent investors and senior executives from India and around the globe, with the presence of His Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India.
During the session, Lootah revealed that Dubai’s non-oil trade with India reached a record AED222.5 billion in 2025, showcasing an annual growth rate of 15%. Bilateral trade has surged by 136.2% over the past decade, rising from AED94.2 billion in 2016, further solidifying India’s position as Dubai's second-largest trading partner.
Lootah noted that the relationship between Dubai and India continues to flourish and diversify, aligning with the evolving requirements of businesses in both markets. While trade remains a cornerstone of bilateral ties, cooperation is increasingly extending into cutting-edge sectors like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the digital economy, which are expected to play a significant role in the upcoming stages of this partnership.
He also highlighted the growth in investment flows between Dubai and India, as well as the increasing number of Indian companies utilizing Dubai as a base for global expansion. Dubai offers Indian businesses a highly connected platform with access to markets across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. This is supported by advanced infrastructure, global connectivity, a competitive business environment, and direct links to customers, investors, and partners.
Lootah stated, "The confidence of the Indian business community in the growth opportunities offered by Dubai is evident in the 7,579 new Indian companies that joined Dubai Chamber during the first half of this year." This brought the total number of Indian companies registered as active members to 85,841 by the end of June 2026, marking a year-on-year growth of 15%.
These figures demonstrate that Indian companies increasingly perceive Dubai as a global hub for developing international operations and expanding investments. They also reflect the strong trust the Indian business community has in Dubai and its promising future prospects.
Lootah further revealed that Dubai attracted approximately AED32.3 billion in Indian investments between 2016 and 2025, including AED8.4 billion in foreign direct investment during 2025 alone.