Intriguing Investment Pledges: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is contemplating a substantial investment commitment of up to $50 billion in India, a move that underscores its status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy. This potential financial endeavor by the UAE, which stands as India’s second-largest trading partner, is shrouded in provisional terms and may be officially disclosed in the early months of the coming year. The commitment follows significant discussions held between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE’s President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed during Modi’s visit to the UAE in July.
Bolstering Bilateral Relations: Over the past decade, both nations have been actively strengthening their bilateral ties with a shared goal of elevating non-oil trade between them to a remarkable $100 billion. Modi’s recent visit to Abu Dhabi marked a milestone, as he became the first Indian Prime Minister since Indira Gandhi in 1981 to visit the UAE. The discussions encompass various investment options, potentially involving key Indian infrastructure projects and state-owned assets. These announcements are expected to materialize before Modi’s anticipated re-election bid in the upcoming federal elections. Notably, sovereign wealth funds such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Mubadala Investment Co., and ADQ are being considered as key participants in these potential investments.
Complex Timing and Size: Although the preliminary investment pledges are in the works, they are unlikely to provide a clear timeline for the deployment of these substantial funds. Final determinations regarding the scale and timing of these investments have not yet been reached.
Sheikh Tahnoon’s Interest: Adding an intriguing facet to this endeavor is the participation of entities overseen by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who holds a vital position as the brother of the UAE President and the Chairman of International Holding Co. One of the significant highlights in this context was Sheikh Tahnoon’s recent acquisition of a 5% stake in Gautam Adani’s conglomerate. These investments align with the UAE’s commitment to diversify investments beyond conventional destinations and underscore the importance of India’s burgeoning middle class.
Geopolitical Implications: The UAE’s potential investment in India underlines the country’s intent to position itself as a non-aligned nation amid the global polarization between Washington and Beijing. With substantial sovereign wealth, the UAE holds a pivotal role in bridging infrastructure gaps in numerous countries, a role that is of particular importance to India as it seeks to boost its economy ahead of the 2024 elections.
This strategic investment initiative holds considerable significance and further cements the economic partnership between India and the UAE. However, the precise details, including the investment scale and deployment timeline, remain to be determined.
By Bloomberg
