UAE

The UAE and India demonstrate a high degree of diplomatic alignment, reflecting their strategic partnership. This is evident in their strong cooperation on counter-terrorism, shared advocacy for UNSC reform (including support for India's permanent seat bid), and a similar cautious approach to the Ukraine conflict, often reflected in shared abstentions on contentious resolutions in the UN General Assembly and Security Council. While the UAE, as an OIC member, has historically been part of broader OIC statements on Kashmir that presented divergences from India's position, its bilateral engagement with India has increasingly acknowledged the issue as an internal matter.

The recent period has seen a strengthening of India-United Arab Emirates strategic and economic relations, highlighted by high-level diplomatic exchanges and a deepening defense partnership. There has been continued cooperation in investment, technology, and other key sectors, with a shared goal of increasing bilateral trade. Concurrently, regional conflicts have impacted the safety of Indian nationals in the UAE, notably with injuries to three Indian citizens during attacks on Fujairah. In response, India has strongly condemned these attacks and reaffirmed its solidarity with the UAE, while both nations have actively coordinated on the safety and welfare of the Indian diaspora.

[Growing Market] In 2025, India's bilateral trade with the United Arab Emirates reached $105.78 billion, marked by a substantial trade deficit of $28.60 billion for India. The UAE serves as a significant market for Indian exports while also being a major supplier to India. The bilateral trade relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates in 2025 demonstrates a robust total trade volume of $105.78 billion. India's exports to the UAE reached $38.59 billion, clearly establishing the UAE as a significant and growing market for Indian goods. Conversely, India's imports from the UAE were notably higher at $67.19 billion, resulting in a substantial trade deficit of $28.60 billion for India. This significant imbalance highlights India's considerable reliance on the UAE as a key supplier. While specific key commodities traded are not available in the provided data, the sheer volume of imports from the UAE implies a critical and strategic role in India's supply chain, likely encompassing vital sectors. The persistent deficit underscores India's position as a net importer from the UAE.

Defence ties between India and the UAE are robust and expanding, underpinned by a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2017. By 2026, cooperation is exemplified by the regular conduct of **at least three distinct joint military exercises annually or biennially**, spanning all service branches. This includes the naval exercise 'Zayed Talwar', India's consistent participation in the UAE-hosted multilateral air force exercise 'Desert Flag', and the bilateral army exercise 'Desert Cyclone', which commenced in 2024 and is expected to be a recurring feature. Beyond operational drills, the relationship is fortified by high-level strategic dialogues, counter-terrorism cooperation, and growing defence industrial engagement. Both nations are actively exploring avenues to enhance defence trade, co-development, and co-production opportunities, building on frameworks such as the MoU signed between India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and UAE's EDGE Group, indicating a strategic intent to deepen technological and manufacturing collaboration.

The United Arab Emirates maintains its status as an exceptionally popular and continually growing destination for Indian tourists in 2026. Projections indicate that annual Indian visitors to the UAE are set to comfortably exceed 2.8 million by 2026, building on strong post-pandemic recovery and consistent growth. This significant growth trajectory is often characterized by double-digit percentage increases in visitor numbers during recent periods. India consistently ranks as the top or second-largest source market for the UAE, with travel interest strongly reflected in high search volumes for 'Dubai travel from India' and 'UAE holidays,' signaling its premier status among Indian international travel preferences. Factors such as geographical proximity, extensive flight connectivity, a wide array of world-class attractions, cultural familiarity, and strong business ties continue to solidify the UAE's appeal, ensuring its sustained prominence as a top choice for Indian travelers.

As of 2026, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) maintains a hybrid visa policy for Indian citizens. Indian passport holders generally require a visa to enter the UAE. However, a significant number of Indian citizens are eligible for a **Visa on Arrival (VOA)**. This applies to those who possess a valid visa or residence permit from the United States, United Kingdom, European Union (Schengen countries), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, or Singapore. The qualifying visa or residence permit must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the UAE. This VOA grants a stay of 14 days and can be extended once for an additional 14 days. The fee for this visa on arrival is approximately AED 100 (around ₹2,200 - ₹2,715 or $27-$28.50), payable at the port of entry. An extension incurs an additional fee of AED 250. For Indian citizens not eligible for the VOA, a **pre-arranged e-Visa** is necessary before travel. The application process for these visas is primarily online, accessible through official government portals (such as govr.ae or icp.gov.ae), accredited airlines (like Emirates, FlyDubai, Etihad, or Air Arabia), or licensed visa agencies. This online application eliminates the need for physical embassy visits or courier services. Standard processing times for e-Visas typically range from 1 to 3 business days, though some sources indicate up to 2-5 working days. Express processing options are also available, often within 24-48 hours. Various e-Visa types are offered, including 30-day single/multiple entry, 60-day single/multiple entry, and even a 5-year multiple entry visa, with fees varying accordingly. Required documents generally include a passport valid for at least six months, a recent color photograph, confirmed return flight tickets, and proof of accommodation. Based on the scoring rubric: * It's not Visa Free (0-20 score is too low). * It's not a free Visa on Arrival or Instant eVisa (81-95) due to the fee for VOA and processing time for e-Visas. * The policy aligns well with **'Visa on Arrival (Paid) or standard eVisa' (61-80)**. The paid VOA for a significant segment of travelers, coupled with the efficient online application process for standard e-Visas, places the UAE's policy for Indian citizens comfortably in this range. The process is generally straightforward and relatively quick, avoiding the stricter requirements of paper visas or high rejection rates. --- PREVIOUS ANALYSIS --- Visa on Arrival: 14 days (extendable) IF holding valid/used visa from US, UK, Schengen, Australia, Canada, Japan, NZ, South Korea, or Singapore.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is renowned for its exceptional safety and security, consistently ranking among the safest countries globally. For tourists, including those from India, the risk of serious crime is exceedingly low in 2026. The UAE benefits from very low crime rates, efficient law enforcement, and robust legal systems that contribute to a highly secure environment. Specific risks, applicable to all visitors, are minimal and include: very rare instances of petty theft in crowded tourist areas (as in any major global city), the necessity to be aware of and respect local cultural norms and laws (e.g., regarding public conduct and alcohol consumption) to ensure a smooth visit, and exercising caution regarding traffic safety due to fast-paced driving conditions. The overall environment for tourists is projected to remain highly secure and welcoming.