EAM S Jaishankar holds talks with UAE Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai, reviewing bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, energy, technology, defence and other key sectors. PIC/X

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said India-UAE relations were “living up to their promise” of a comprehensive strategic partnership, highlighting growing economic cooperation and bilateral trade crossing USD 100 billion since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Speaking during his meeting with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai, Jaishankar said the partnership had continued to achieve new milestones despite global economic challenges and regional uncertainties

“After more than a decade of sustained engagement, the India-UAE relationship is today really living up to its promise as a comprehensive strategic partnership. This year has been marked by an exceptional intensity of leadership-level engagement,” Jaishankar said in his opening remarks

Sheikh Abdullah arrived in Mumbai on Monday for an official visit to India and was received by Maharashtra Minister for Skill Development Mangalprabhat Lodha

Highlighting the economic dimension of the relationship, the External Affairs Minister said bilateral trade had crossed the USD 100 billion mark following the signing of CEPA, while two-way investments continued to grow. “Despite global headwinds and regional challenges, our economic partnership continues to set new benchmarks. Bilateral trade has crossed a 100 Billion US dollars mark since the signing of the CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) and two-way investments continue to grow, reflecting the confidence of our businesses in each other''s economies,” he said.