Dubai's $9.3 billion push into India: 147 projects, 55,000 jobs, new AI pacts
Dubai has invested $9.3 billion across 147 projects in India between 2016 and 2025, creating 55,274 jobs, according to data released by Dubai Chambers. The figures, which cover a decade of bilateral economic engagement, underscore the growing trade and investment relationship between the United Arab Emirates and India.
Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, presented the numbers during a business delegation visit to India. He also revealed that 85,841 Indian companies were active members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce as of June 2026, a 15% increase year-on-year. In the first half of 2026 alone, about 7,579 new Indian companies joined the trade body, the data showed.
Dubai Chambers, a non-profit public entity, supports Dubai's vision as a global player by empowering businesses and facilitating trade. Indian companies form the largest foreign business community in the emirate, according to Mr. Lootah.
Mr. Lootah said Dubai's drive to accelerate the adoption of Agentic AI across the private sector is creating significant new opportunities for Indian technology companies, innovators and specialists. "By connecting these capabilities with Dubai's advanced business ecosystem and access to international markets, we aim to generate tangible benefits for companies in both markets," he added.
Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can take autonomous actions to achieve specific goals, marking an evolution from traditional AI tools that only provide recommendations. The technology is a key focus area for Dubai as it seeks to position itself as a global hub for innovation.
During the India visit, the delegation headed by Mr. Lootah held eight meetings with leading Indian business organisations and multinational companies. On Thursday, it signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in Bengaluru to advance collaboration in this field.
The first MoU, signed with the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), establishes a framework for cooperation in Agentic AI and deeptech. It also aims to support market access for Indian companies seeking to establish and expand in Dubai.
The second MoU was signed with the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) to strengthen trade, investment and business collaboration between Dubai and Karnataka.
The delegation additionally engaged with Nasscom DeepTech, an initiative by NASSCOM designed to power India's deep technology movement, as well as the Confederation of Indian Industry Karnataka State Council (CII Karnataka), FKCCI and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Karnataka State Council (FICCI Karnataka).
Mr. Lootah emphasised the importance of Indian companies to Dubai's economic landscape. "Our agreements with NASSCOM and FKCCI will build on this strong foundation by advancing cooperation in Agentic AI and deeptech, strengthening trade and investment, and supporting more Indian companies to establish and expand in Dubai," he said.
The latest data and agreements reflect a broader trend of deepening ties between India and Dubai, driven by shared economic interests and technological collaboration. With substantial investments and a growing number of Indian businesses in the emirate, the partnership is poised to expand further in the coming years.
