India and UAE Hold Third CEPA Joint Committee Meeting as Bilateral Trade Surpasses USD 100 Billion
The third meeting of the Joint Committee under the India-UAE CEPA was held in New Delhi. The session 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 noted the continued rise in bilateral trade, which reached USD 100.06 billion in FY 2024-25, marking an increase of 19.6 percent and maintaining the UAE’s position as one of India’s principal trading partners. The India-UAE Joint Commission functions as the key platform for reviewing progress, addressing challenges, and implementing the CEPA framework.
A detailed assessment of developments under CEPA was undertaken, covering areas such as market access matters, data exchange, allocation of Gold TRQ, anti-dumping issues, services, Rules of Origin, and BIS licensing. The Indian side also informed the UAE delegation about its recent decision to distribute Gold TRQ through a transparent competitive bidding mechanism.
Both sides reviewed recent high-level interactions, including meetings between Hon’ble Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and H.E. Dr. Thani in Mumbai and Dubai. They reiterated their commitment to boosting non-oil and non-precious metal trade in pursuit of the USD 100 billion goal by 2030. Discussions also included regulatory cooperation in pharmaceuticals, resolution of matters related to Certificates of Origin, BIS coordination, and the early finalisation of the MoU on Food Safety and Technical Requirements between the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority in India and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in the UAE.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to enhance trade facilitation, regulatory cooperation, data sharing, and the convening of the Services Subcommittee meeting. The UAE delegation also met Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal to discuss matters related to optimal CEPA utilisation. The UAE delegation’s visit highlighted the shared commitment to advancing balanced trade, expanding market access, and strengthening the strategic partnership under CEPA.