India and UAE Explore Collaboration in Green Steel and High-Grade Aluminium

Newdelhi:1/7/25:Union Minister of Steel, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, met with H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy, as part of a high-level engagement to advance India-UAE industrial cooperation under the India-UAE CEPA framework. The meeting was focused on trade expansion, resource security, and collaborative innovation in steel and aluminium. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is forging strong global industrial partnerships that are resilient, resource-secure, and innovation-driven.

Welcoming the opportunity to strengthen bilateral industrial ties, Shri Kumaraswamy emphasized India’s rapidly growing role as the world’s second-largest steel producer and outlined the nation’s commitment to green steel, high-value manufacturing, and global supply chain resilience.

“India and UAE can be strong partners in green steel production and sustainable industrial growth,” the Minister stated. “UAE can play a key role in helping India reach its 300 million tonne steel production target by 2030, particularly by supporting raw material security and enabling energy-efficient production systems.

High-Grade Steel & Aluminium: Automotive and Strategic Applications

One of the core focus areas of the discussion was the joint development of high-grade steel and aluminium, which are vital for India’s growing automobile and strategic sectors.

“We see clear synergy in jointly producing and trading high-quality steel and aluminium for use in sectors such as automobiles, mobility, and high-end manufacturing,” Shri Kumaraswamy said.

The UAE’s clean energy ecosystem, advanced infrastructure, and strategic trade location were acknowledged as valuable assets in this collaboration.

Public Sector Enterprises Leading Engagement

The meeting also highlighted the active role of India’s CPSEs in anchoring the India-UAE industrial partnership:

• SAIL, a Maharatna CPSE, currently imports approximately. 2.5 million tonnes of low-silica limestone annually from Ras Al Khaimah’s Stevin Rock LLC. The company is exploring long-term supply tie-ups and the potential to serve the UAE’s infrastructure and industrial sectors with premium Indian steel.

• NMDC, India’s largest iron ore producer, is keen to collaborate with UAE-based entities in developing the mining value chain.

• MECON, India’s premier engineering consultancy, aims to contribute to oil & gas, steel plant development, and smart infrastructure projects across the Gulf.

• All three CPSEs: SAIL, NMDC, and MECON have recently inaugurated international offices in Dubai, establishing a permanent platform for trade coordination, joint ventures, and technology exchange.

Strengthening CEPA Through Structured Mechanisms

Shri Kumaraswamy proposed setting up a joint working group between Indian and UAE stakeholders to identify specific opportunities under CEPA, streamline logistics, and promote long-term collaboration in key sectors.

“India does not see UAE as just a market, but as a strategic partner in reshaping the global industrial landscape,” the Minister stated. “We invite UAE investors and industry leaders to visit India and experience our steel sector’s dynamism firsthand.”

The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to advance joint projects and trade frameworks aligned with India’s goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy.