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GS2 · International relations

UAE President visits India; trade hits USD 100 billion

1 min readInternational Relations
Battle IAS current affairs title card: UAE President visits India; trade hits USD 100 billion (GS2 · International relations, 19 January 2026)

What happened

  • UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed made an official visit on 19 January 2026; the leaders noted bilateral trade reached USD 100 billion in FY 2024-25 after the 2022 CEPA [PIB].

Background

  • The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner and a major investor and LNG supplier.

Why it matters

  • The CEPA hit its trade target early. Local-currency settlement and IMEC are next.

How to use this in Mains

GS-II Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India

  1. As per PIB (2026-01-19): UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed made an official visit on 19 January 2026; the leaders noted bilateral trade reached USD 100 billion in FY 2024-25 after the 2022 CEPA.
  2. The CEPA hit its trade target early. Local-currency settlement and IMEC are next.
Quotable data point

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed made an official visit on 19 January 2026.

PIB: PMO: India–UAE Joint Statement, 19 Jan 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: India–UAE CEPA.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

India–UAE trade FY25

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

CEPA signed

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Visit date

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

ExplainerIndus Waters Treaty, 1960: The Indus River System, How the Waters Were Divided, India’s Rights, Kishenganga and Ratle Disputes, and the 2025 Abeyance (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerIndia-Pakistan Relations: Partition, Kashmir, Four Wars, Simla Agreement, Indus Waters Treaty, Cross-Border Terrorism and Operation Sindoor (UPSC Notes + PYQs)

Official source: PIB: PMO: India–UAE Joint Statement, 19 Jan 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending