India-UAE Relations: After the recent visit of United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India, its diplomatic effects are now clearly visible. The historic defense agreement signed between India and UAE during this visit is being considered a major development in regional politics.

In this series, UAE has given a big blow to Pakistan and distanced itself from the plan to operate Islamabad International Airport. This agreement was signed in August 2025, but now it has been put on hold for now.

UAE withdraws from Islamabad airport project

According to the report of Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune, UAE has stepped back from this airport project. Neither the UAE selected any local partner nor took the process forward. Due to this, the deal related to the operation of Islamabad International Airport has stopped at the moment. This decision has come at a time when relations between UAE and Saudi Arabia are increasing and Pakistan seems to be getting closer to Saudi Arabia.

Why did UAE distance itself from Pakistan?

Till about four decades ago, UAE was among Pakistan’s biggest trading partners. Remittances coming from millions of Pakistani citizens working in UAE have been considered the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. Apart from this, both the countries also worked together in areas like defence, energy and investment.
However, over time, UAE’s confidence weakened due to security concerns, license disputes and Pakistan’s policies. Recent reports have revealed poor administration, political interference and huge losses being incurred by government undertakings. This was the reason why Pakistan had to sell many government institutions to private hands at cheap prices. Last year, the Shahbaz Sharif government also privatized Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). In these circumstances, it became difficult for UAE to maintain trust in Pakistan.

India-UAE relations further strengthened

In contrast to the distance from Pakistan, after the India tour, there has been a new strength in the relations between UAE and India. UAE approved the release of 900 Indian prisoners, which is being considered a major goodwill step towards India. During his visit to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reviewed all aspects of bilateral cooperation. Both countries agreed on many important partnerships in areas like trade, investment, energy and defence.

Target of $200 billion trade by 2032

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Nahyan have set a target of increasing the annual trade between India and UAE to US $ 200 billion by 2032. Along with this, both the countries have also presented the outline of a strategic defense partnership, which is considered very important from the point of view of regional security and global balance.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has signed MoUs with Pakistan to strengthen relations in various sectors including trade, investment and aviation. Pakistani expert Qamar Cheema has said that Pakistan is signing an bus MoU and India is doing business of $ 83.6 billion there, 2300 Indian companies are part of the UAE-India Trade Corridor. Here Pakistani buses reach UAE to do Ayyashi. He said that Indian companies are ruling there, but we do not need to do anything or think.

Qamar Cheema said that Pakistan only signs the MoU, we have to take forward the connection of the Memorandum of Understanding. Don’t know now and how many countries we will sign MoUs. He said that the UAE Foreign Minister signed only MoUs with Pakistan, an agreement has been done, there is nothing like that. Pak expert said that 2300 companies of India are part of the India-UAE Trade Corridor. These companies have invested in Jabal Ali Free Zone (Jafza). These companies are running 87 percent of the UAE-India trade.

Qamar Cheema said that Indian companies are creating a strategic infrastructure of business and the leadership of both countries is giving benefits to its businessman. He said that India is the second largest trading partner of UAE. Both of them have a $ 83.6 billion bailartral partnership and their target is to take it $ 100 billion.

Qamar Cheema said that Jafza has become a big thing, 2300 Indian companies. It is only about $ 7 billion trade in it. 4.1 million tonnes of goods are processed there. Jafza does 87 % of UAE with Oil Trade India. He said that there has been a growth of 28 percent in the registration of Indian companies in 2023 there.

Pakistani expert said that the India mart in Jafza is made in a very large place. If India is built in about 2.7 million square feet in Mart Jafza, then only guess it. This is such a facility, which seems to be the sea, the land. He said that India Mart left with everything. We Pakistanis do not have to understand, all our tickets are running there that they will be there with fun. We are just lying in all this. The UAE has just become an shelter for us. At the same time, Indians see the UAE as a business.

Pakistani expert Qamar Cheema said, ‘I just want to know that our people have no understanding. Further, you see that the Indians have taken access to Dyaarct Maktum Airport from Jabal Ali Airport. Indian Enterprises are fulfilling the entire rule inside Jafza. They know how to do business, Pakistanis do not know. You just go there to kill Ayyasis.

UAE Deputy PM and External Affairs Minister Sheikh Abudallah bin Zayed Al Nahyan went to Pakistan for two days on 20 April. Here on Monday, he signed the MoU with Pakistan Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

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