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India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

PYQs

11

Articles

2

Momentum

29

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Understanding India's foreign policy priorities, energy security, economic diplomacy, and regional influence in West Asia. It serves as a model for India's robust bilateral engagements.

India and the United Arab Emirates share a robust and multifaceted relationship, elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017. This partnership encompasses wide-ranging cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, energy security, defence, technology, and cultural exchanges, reflecting India's 'Look West' policy and the UAE's strategic importance in West Asia.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Partnership Status

Elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017.

Economic Ties

UAE is India's third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination.

Key Cooperation Areas

Energy security, trade, investment, defence, and technology.

Investment Flows

India is a major investor in the UAE, and the UAE is a significant source of FDI for India.

Partnership Elevation

Elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017

Trade Significance

UAE is India's third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination

Indian Diaspora

Home to a large Indian diaspora (over 3.5 million)

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaInternational Relations

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of External Affairs (India)Formulates and implements foreign policy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UAE)Formulates and implements foreign policy
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Quick revision

  • Strategic partnership established in 2017.
  • Covers trade, investment, energy, defence, technology.
  • UAE is a major trade partner and FDI source.
  • Crucial for India's energy security.
  • Part of India's 'Look West' policy.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

International RelationsOpen question

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

International RelationsOpen question
2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

International RelationsOpen question

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

International RelationsOpen question
2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

International RelationsOpen question

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

International RelationsOpen question
2024Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. Statement-II: There have been m...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. Statement-II ...

GeographyOpen question
2024Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. Statement-II: There have been m...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. Statement-II ...

GeographyOpen question
2024Multi-statement analysis, Cause and effect relationships

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. Statement-II: There have been m...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. Statement-II ...

GeographyOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative...

International RelationsOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative...

International RelationsOpen question
2019Factual recall, Policy measures

Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the follow...

International RelationsOpen question
2018Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following countries : 1. Australia 2. Canada 3. China 4. India 5. Japan 6. USA Which of the above are among the 'free-trade partners' of ...

International RelationsOpen question
2015Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

International RelationsOpen question

Topic timeline

International Relations
Prelims 2015· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following countries : 1. Australia 2. Canada 3. China 4. India 5. Japan 6. USA Which of the above are among the 'free-trade partners' of ...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Factual recall, Policy measures

Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the follow...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

Open question

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. Statement-II: There have been m...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. Statement-II ...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

Open question

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. Statement-II: There have been m...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. Statement-II ...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Multi-statement analysis, Cause and effect relationships

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

Open question

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. Statement-II: There have been m...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. Statement-II ...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

Open question

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

Open question

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

Open question

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

Open question

Prime Minister meets President of the United Arab Emirates on the sidelines of the G7 Summit

17 Jun 2026 · The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a cornerstone of India's foreign policy, crucial for energy, trade, investment, and regional stability in West Asia.

Read article

Jaishankar welcomes UAE’s Foreign Minister Al Nahyan in Mumbai

20 Oct 2026 · The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a cornerstone of India's foreign policy in West Asia, driven by shared economic, energy, and strategic interests, and supported by a large Indian diaspora.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Often confused with

Geopolitics of West Asia

Open notesOften confused with

Geopolitics of Energy and Global Oil Markets

Open notesOften confused with

International Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreements

Open notesOften confused with

Strait of Hormuz and Maritime Security

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 11 linked questions on India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following countries : 1. Australia 2. Canada 3. China 4. India 5. Japan 6. USA Which of the above are among the 'free-trade partners' of ...

2018·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

2024·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

2026·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

2023·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. Statement-II: There have been m...

2024·International Relations
Solve

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

2026·International Relations
Solve

Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the follow...

2019·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative...

2023·International Relations
Solve

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

2015·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. Statement-II ...

2024·Geography
Solve

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this ...

2026·International Relations
Solve

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