India, UAE Deepen Steel & Aluminium Ties Under CEPA for Green Growth

In a significant diplomatic and industrial development, Union Minister of Steel, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, met with H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in a high-level meeting aimed at advancing industrial cooperation under the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The discussions took place in the backdrop of strengthening economic engagement between two dynamic economies, with a shared focus on green growth, innovation, and resilient supply chains.

Held under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, this engagement forms part of India’s broader mission to transform its industrial base into a global manufacturing hub, while simultaneously forging strategic bilateral trade alliances.

Green Steel and Clean Energy at the Core of Dialogue

Welcoming the UAE as a key strategic ally in India's steel roadmap, Shri Kumaraswamy highlighted India’s position as the world’s second-largest steel producer and its ambitious target to reach 300 million tonnes of production capacity by 2030.

He noted that UAE’s clean energy infrastructure, combined with its central trade location and industrial ecosystem, offers ideal synergy for collaboration in green steel production—a central pillar of sustainable industrialization.

“India and UAE can be strong partners in green steel production and sustainable industrial growth,” Kumaraswamy affirmed, positioning UAE as a key enabler in India’s decarbonized steel trajectory.

High-Grade Steel & Aluminium for Strategic and Automotive Sectors

A major focus of the dialogue was the co-development and trade of high-grade steel and aluminium—critical materials for automotive, defence, aerospace, and high-end manufacturing sectors.

Both ministers acknowledged that joint ventures in material science, production, and logistics can significantly enhance bilateral trade while supporting strategic supply chains for both nations.

The collaboration is expected to unlock new opportunities in:

• Lightweight vehicle components

• Electric mobility infrastructure

• Urban construction materials

• Green hydrogen-ready industrial applications

Indian CPSEs Anchoring International Engagement

The meeting spotlighted the instrumental role of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in advancing the India-UAE industrial corridor:

1. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)

• Imports nearly 2.5 million tonnes of low-silica limestone from Stevin Rock LLC, Ras Al Khaimah.

• Exploring long-term raw material tie-ups and export of premium-grade Indian steel to UAE.

2. NMDC Limited

• India’s largest iron ore producer, keen to invest in value chain development in UAE.

• Evaluating joint mining ventures, exploration, and beneficiation partnerships.

3. MECON Limited

• Premier engineering consultancy firm with expertise in steel plants, oil & gas, and smart city infrastructure.

• Offering project management, design, and construction services to Gulf nations.

All three CPSEs—SAIL, NMDC, and MECON—have recently inaugurated international offices in Dubai, solidifying their on-ground presence and creating a permanent platform for bilateral coordination, technology exchange, and trade facilitation.

Structural Reforms Under CEPA Framework

To institutionalize and scale this partnership, Shri Kumaraswamy proposed establishing a joint working group between Indian and UAE entities under the CEPA framework. This group would:

• Identify sector-specific investment and trade opportunities

• Streamline supply chains and cross-border logistics

• Foster innovation in materials and green technologies

• Encourage knowledge-sharing and technology transfer

This initiative is envisioned as a structured mechanism to translate policy into projects, ensuring that industrial diplomacy leads to on-ground transformation.

India’s Vision: Not Just a Market, But a Manufacturing Ally

Reaffirming India’s intent to foster meaningful partnerships, the Minister emphasized that India views the UAE not merely as an export destination, but as a long-term strategic collaborator in reshaping global industrial dynamics.

“We invite UAE investors and industry leaders to visit India and experience our steel sector’s dynamism firsthand,” Kumaraswamy stated, extending a warm call for expanded economic exchange.

Towards a $5 Trillion Economy: Bilateral Projects and Global Synergies

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to accelerate joint projects, including those aligned with India’s aspirations of becoming a $5 trillion economy, supported by:

• Sustainable industrial development

• Trade diversification

• Green infrastructure

• Strategic investments in metallurgy and advanced materials

Both nations see the partnership as a linchpin in global industrial resilience, leveraging each other's strengths in resources, innovation, and logistics.

A New Era for Indo-UAE Industrial Cooperation

This engagement reflects a deepening of Indo-UAE ties beyond conventional trade, marking the rise of a new strategic chapter in global industrial collaboration. With India’s CPSEs expanding their international footprint and UAE’s readiness to invest in climate-smart manufacturing, the road ahead promises co-created solutions, sustainable growth, and a joint leadership role in the global metals and mining arena.