H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence; and Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, today witnessed the signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the UAE and India aimed at deepening collaboration across key sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, higher education, maritime services, logistics and private sector engagement.
The deals were inked during a special event organized by the Dubai Chambers in Mumbai and formed part of Sheikh Hamdan’s official visit to India.
“These MoUs broaden and deepen our strategic partnership in line with our mutual commitment to creating resilient economies, empowering communities, and advancing knowledge, technology, and human development. Together, we are advancing a model of international cooperation that delivers real impact and long-term benefits for the people of our two countries,” stated Sheikh Hamdan.
Dubai Chambers inks three deals
In a series of agreements that underscore the vital role of business communities in advancing collaboration and mutual growth between the UAE and India, Dubai Chambers signed three agreements with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The MoUs were signed by Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers; R. Mukundan, Vice President of CII; Anant Goenka, Senior Vice President of FICCI; Jyoti Vij, Director General of FICCI; and Sunita Ramnathkar, Vice President of IMC.
The agreements establish a framework for stronger cooperation in several key areas. Dubai Chambers will support Indian businesses in establishing or expanding their presence in Dubai and provide strategic services to accelerate their investment process.
Meanwhile, the three Indian entities will provide similar support to Dubai-based companies exploring business opportunities in India, including facilitating business-matching services and networking activities. This support will also be extended during the pre- and post-expansion phases.
The agreements also outline collaboration in joint participation at trade fairs, investment missions, conferences and exhibitions held in both markets. In addition, the parties have committed to the regular exchange of information and data on bilateral trade and business trends, helping to identify new opportunities and strengthen private sector cooperation.
“We look forward to accelerating progress in sectors that matter most for our collective future, building on the strong momentum we have achieved through frameworks like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Bilateral Investment Treaty. The continued growth in trade, investment, and institutional cooperation underscores the strategic depth of our relationship and the vast potential of our shared vision,” added Sheikh Hamdan.
DP World partners with RITES
In a bid to reinforce UAE-India connectivity and future-proof global trade infrastructure, DP World signed a Memorandum of Understanding with RITES, a leading infrastructure, consultancy and engineering firm under India’s Ministry of Railways.
The agreement aims to harness the expertise of both organizations to develop resilient, tech-enabled supply chains and strengthen modern logistics and maritime capabilities in line with the long-term economic visions of both nations. The agreement aims to further leverage the UAE-India Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) to streamline customs, logistics and regulatory processes between the two countries.
The agreement also opens the door to collaboration on projects spanning multimodal logistics parks, free trade zones, port connectivity and rail freight solutions, supporting the two countries’ shared goal to build diversified trade routes that can withstand global disruptions and drive long-term economic growth.
Drydocks World and Cochin Shipyard Limited forge partnership
Drydocks World, a DP World company, also signed an MoU with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a leading Indian shipbuilding and maintenance facility, under India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The agreement establishes a framework for the joint development of ship repair clusters in Kochi and Vadinar, in India, as well as offshore fabrication and collaborative marine engineering solutions.
This partnership leverages the complementary strengths of both organizations and supports the goals of Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. It also aims to contribute to modernizing India’s maritime infrastructure, expanding its ship repair industry, and creating new employment opportunities.
DET deepens academic cooperation with India
Furthermore, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) to establish a world-class IIMA campus in Dubai, marking a significant milestone in academic cooperation between the UAE and India. The agreement seeks to support the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 by developing business leadership talent and contributing to the development of a globally competitive innovation ecosystem in the emirate.
The IIMA Dubai Campus will be a global center of excellence for higher education, skill development, and innovation, serving the broader Middle East, Africa and Central Asia regions.
The campus will be developed in two phases. In the first phase, IIMA will be allocated space within the Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), the region’s premier higher education hub, providing world-class educational resources designed to foster innovation and academic excellence. Under the agreement, IIMA also aims to launch its One-Year Full-Time MBA Program in Dubai later this year.
In the second phase, IIMA will be allotted land for the establishment of a permanent campus, which is expected to become operational by 2029.
Read: Sheikh Hamdan rings opening bell of Bombay Stock Exchange
Dubai Health to establish UAE-India Friendship Hospital
In another agreement that furthers a common commitment to delivering inclusive healthcare, Dubai Health signed an MoU to establish the UAE-India Friendship Hospital (UIFH), a new not-for-profit initiative aimed at providing inclusive and accessible healthcare in Dubai.
The UIFH is a joint philanthropic initiative endorsed at the leadership level by the governments of Dubai and India that aims to deliver high-quality, affordable healthcare services.
The Dubai Medical University (DMU) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the country’s top-ranked medical institute, also inked an agreement that seeks to strengthen academic and research collaboration by promoting direct cooperation between faculty, administrative staff, departments and research centers of both institutions.
Key areas of collaboration will include student and staff exchange programs, joint research in priority fields such as infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and climate change, and the development of global health initiatives. The agreement also provides a framework for the exchange of academic materials and research publications. The agreement also covers cooperation with AIIMS in areas related to AI research, development and digital transformation in medical education and healthcare.
