India and UAE Eye Strategic Tie-Up in Green Steel and High-Grade Aluminium Under CEPA

In a significant step toward strengthening industrial and mineral cooperation, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have opened discussions on joint ventures in green steel production and high-grade aluminium manufacturing, aligning with India’s vision to become a global industrial powerhouse.

Union Minister of Steel, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy met with UAE’s Minister of Economy, H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, to deepen collaboration under the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The bilateral meeting focused on promoting sustainable metallurgy, supply chain security, and high-tech applications in steel and aluminium industries.

Advancing India’s 300 Million Tonne Steel Vision

Minister Kumaraswamy underscored India’s target of reaching 300 million tonnes of steel production by 2030, a goal rooted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant, resource-efficient, and globally connected economy. He stated:

“India and UAE can be strong partners in green steel production and sustainable industrial growth. UAE can play a key role by supporting raw material security and enabling energy-efficient production systems.”

Focus on High-Grade Steel and Aluminium

A central theme of the discussions was the joint development of high-quality steel and aluminium for strategic applications in automotive, mobility, defense, and high-end manufacturing sectors.

“We see clear synergy in jointly producing and trading high-quality steel and aluminium,” the Minister said, citing opportunities for bilateral value addition and market expansion.

The UAE’s clean energy capabilities, strategic ports, and logistics infrastructure were highlighted as vital enablers for such partnerships.

CPSEs Driving the Collaboration

Three key Indian Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)—SAIL, NMDC, and MECON—are at the forefront of executing India’s industrial diplomacy in the Gulf:

• SAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd) imports over 2.5 million tonnes of low-silica limestone annually from Ras Al Khaimah’s Stevin Rock LLC. The company is exploring long-term raw material tie-ups and expanding its export of premium Indian steel to UAE markets.

• NMDC (National Mineral Development Corporation) is exploring strategic partnerships for mineral sourcing and mining value chain development with UAE entities.

• MECON, India’s engineering consultancy major, is offering expertise in steel plant design, oil & gas infrastructure, and smart city development.

All three have recently opened international offices in Dubai, providing a permanent platform for joint ventures, technology exchange, and integrated supply chain development.

Institutionalizing Industrial Cooperation

Minister Kumaraswamy proposed the formation of a joint working group under the CEPA framework, aiming to:

• Identify actionable industrial opportunities

• Streamline bilateral logistics and trade flows

• Build long-term frameworks for mineral and metal cooperation

“India does not see UAE as just a market, but as a strategic partner in reshaping the global industrial landscape,” the Minister asserted. “We welcome UAE industry leaders to experience firsthand the transformation of India’s steel and metals ecosystem.”

The India-UAE partnership is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable metallurgy, raw material security, and global trade integration. With focused cooperation in green steel and high-grade aluminium, both nations are aligning their industrial goals with the global shift toward clean energy and supply chain resilience.