The United Arab Emirates is exploring investments of up to $50 billion in India, its second-largest trading partner. The potential pledges, which could be announced in early 2024, aim to strengthen bilateral ties and increase non-oil trade to $100 billion. Discussions include investments in Indian infrastructure projects and state-owned assets.
The countries have been seeking to bolster ties over the past decade, and aim to increase non-oil bilateral trade to $100 billion. Modi’s recent visit to Abu Dhabi marked his fifth trip to the Gulf nation since he took over as prime minister in 2014.
Deals being discussed include stakes in key Indian infrastructure projects and state-owned assets, with announcements likely before Modi seeks a third term in federal elections due next year, the people said. Some of the investments could involve sovereign wealth funds such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Mubadala Investment Co. and ADQ, they said.
The pledges are unlikely to have clear timelines for a large chunk of the investments, the people said. No final decisions have been made on the size or timing of the announcements.
As part of the push, entities overseen by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan have held early-stage talks on investing billions of dollars in India, one of the people said. Sheikh Tahnoon is the UAE president’s brother and chairman of International Holding Co., which disclosed a 5% stake in Gautam Adani’s flagship conglomerate last month. That came days after IHC sold down holdings in two Adani firms, though the firm reiterated its commitment to India at the time.
Representatives for India’s finance and trade ministries, the UAE government, and Sheikh Tahnoon’s private investment firm Royal Group didn’t respond to requests for comment. ADIA, ADQ and Mubadala declined to comment.
