India, Jan 20 : India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to deepen their bilateral partnership, with a strong focus on education, academic collaboration, and digital finance, following UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to New Delhi on January 19, 2026.
Expanding Academic Collaboration
The two nations plan to enhance cooperation between universities and educational institutions, building on the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad’s offshore campuses in the UAE. Student exchange programs are expected to foster a knowledge bridge, while both countries aim to expand Innovation and Tinkering Labs in schools and colleges.
India’s Digilocker system may be integrated with UAE platforms to allow seamless authentication of Indian academic degrees and documents, simplifying access to education and professional opportunities across borders.
Strengthening Digital Finance Links
India and the UAE have also agreed to improve digital financial cooperation. Plans include interlinking their national payment platforms to enable faster, more efficient, and cost effective cross border transactions.
Broader Collaboration Beyond Education and Finance
The talks also covered cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, including artificial intelligence, supercomputing, and space initiatives. Energy security, infrastructure projects such as Special Investment Regions, smart urban townships, and transport connectivity were highlighted as key areas of partnership.
Cultural engagement and people to people ties remain a priority, with initiatives such as youth and academic exchanges and the establishment of a ‘House of India’ in Abu Dhabi. Defence and security cooperation, counter terrorism collaboration, and regional stability were also discussed, reflecting the comprehensive scope of the India-UAE Strategic Partnership.
The discussions underscore a long-term commitment to strengthen bilateral relations across education, finance, technology, trade, and cultural initiatives, further cementing India and the UAE’s strategic collaboration.