The India-Africa-UAE Trilateral Framework

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations

Context

• Against the backdrop of BRICS 2026 in India, a stronger India–Africa–UAE (IAU) trilateral framework is emerging with the entry of new members including the UAE, Egypt, and Ethiopia in the group.

Background

• The India-Africa-UAE trilateral partnership is an evolving concept focused on strengthening economic cooperation and connectivity, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, and infrastructure development. 
• Back in 2019, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on development cooperation in Africa.
• The evolution is reflected in initiatives such as the Bharat Africa Setu, conceptualised in 2025.
  • It is a trade ecosystem launched by India and DP World (UAE) to double India–Africa trade by leveraging logistics, export finance, and certification services.

Existing Bilateral Ties

• India and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022.
  • Aim: Raise non-oil trade to US$ 100 billion annually by 2027. Already, bilateral trade has reached US$57.8 billion in non-oil trade (US$85 billion including oil).
  • Sectors unlocked: Renewable energy, civil nuclear cooperation, fintech, logistics, aviation, food security, critical minerals, space, and advanced technologies.
• UAE and Africa: Gulf countries invested over US$100 billion in Africa (2012–2022), with the UAE leading the pack.
  • UAE investments surpass those of China, France, and the UK, extending beyond traditional sectors into food parks, agri-tech, fintech, and renewable energy.
  • The UAE is also backing new economic zones in key African states, such as the digital incubator ecosystem in Ghana.
• India and Africa: India has long-standing cultural and historical ties with African countries, but current trade levels remain modest. Africa accounts for 6% of India’s exports and 5.6% of imports.
  • Demographic synergy: India’s demographic dividend peaks by 2041 whereas Africa will see over 60% of its population in working age by 2050, making it the next global growth hub.

Pillars of the IAU Trilateral Cooperation

• Industrial and Technological Cooperation
  • Co-development in agritech, edtech, fintech, AI-based learning, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.
  • Platforms for joint intellectual property, innovation sandboxes, and start-up exchanges.
  • Bharat Mart (Dubai) will provide Indian SMEs and women-led enterprises a global export hub.
• Investment and Financing Collaboration
  • Integration of India’s GIFT City, UAE’s DIFC, and emerging African hubs (Lagos/Kigali/Nairobi) for seamless capital flows.
  • Potential joint investment fund for SMEs, startups, and infrastructure.
  • Cross-border digital payment integration through UPI–RuPay connectivity.
• Research, Vocational and Academic Partnerships
  • Academic partnerships, fellowship exchanges, and vocational upskilling.
  • Growing number of African students in India and institutional tie-ups with UAE universities.
  • Cultural festivals, tourism exchanges, and heritage commerce.

Strategic and Geopolitical Significance

• Leadership in the Global South: The trilateral framework represents a fresh model of South–South cooperation, showcasing how emerging powers can shape global governance.
• Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience: By diversifying trade and connectivity routes, the partnership helps reduce excessive reliance on Western-dominated or China-centric supply chains.
• Enhanced Security Collaboration: The three regions can work together on maritime safety in the Indian Ocean, as well as emerging domains like cyber defense and counter-terrorism.

Challenges Ahead

• Economic Asymmetries: Bridging the development gap between the UAE and less-developed African economies.
• Political Coordination: Harmonising diverse governance models and policy priorities.
• Global Competition: Ensuring visibility amid forums like G20, IPEF, and ASEAN.
• Logistical Constraints: Large-scale connectivity projects across three continents face financing and coordination hurdles.

Concluding remarks

• At a time when the world is scrambling for resources and transactional partnerships are on the rise, the India, Africa and UAE trilateral offers a framework that is both practical and principled.
• In this Afro–Asian Century, such an initiative reflects the need for emerging economies to reshape development models and build resilient, diversified partnerships and supply chains that reduce vulnerability to global disruptions.

Source: ORF