_pages-to-jpg-0001.jpg)
The real estate synergies between the two nations - India and UAE are abundant, with India’s booming demand for housing, commercial, and retail spaces and UAE’s well-positioned global financial hub and luxury real estate, together unlocking new opportunities that transcend geographies of both the regions. Recent strategic agreements and bilateral investment frameworks have accelerated cross-border flows. UAE-based sovereign wealth funds and developers are deepening their footprint in India’s residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors, while Indian investors are increasingly exploring opportunities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s luxury property markets. Going beyond real estate development, the two countries are also leveraging expertise in technology, sustainability, urban mobility and infrastructure innovation with joint ventures in PropTech, architecture & engineering, green buildings and property management. There is no doubt, with India being one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and UAE as an established global economic hub, the real estate partnership is set to create a new ecosystem of mutually beneficial growth in both regions.
FROM CAPITAL TO CONCRETE
UAE and India have a complementary relationship rather than two disconnected markets. With streamlined investment structures, India is seeing a slew of institutional funds from UAE in Indian real estate, while Indian developers and investors are actively building new projects across UAE. Sovereign and quasi-sovereign capital from the UAE have been the key drivers of inbound capital into India’s real estate ecosystem. Growth in assets under management at major UAE funds has provided the dry powder needed to deploy into long term infrastructure, hospitality, mixed-use and residential projects across India. Elaborating on the trend, Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman & Founder BNW Developments said, “UAE consistently finances major developments worldwide, including those in India. $240 million in residential projects across major Indian cities, with a development value exceeding $2.1 billion, have already been invested by leading conglomerates in India. Multiple real estate projects across Indian cities, including Bengaluru, Indore, and Mumbai, have begun through collaborations between Indian and Dubai firms. Moreover, with the Indian government permitting 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the hospitality industry, the future looks bright for UAE-based investors seeking opportunities in luxury accommodations and wellness retreats in India. Indian developers and institutional investors are increasingly active in UAE markets — especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi — attracted by high liquidity, strong rental yields, residency-linked incentives and a clear regulatory framework for foreign ownership. Highlighting the attraction of UAE’s most popular region Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman, Danube Properties said, “In UAE, Dubai is continuing to outshine world markets with its stable, tax-free climate and investor-friendly policies. The city has been a resilient and robust economy despite world headwinds. The real estate industry is not only expanding, it’s booming and we are seeing huge interest from foreign investors who view Dubai as one of the only safe havens providing not only high returns but long-term value.”
REAL ESTATE TIES THAT REDEFINE GROWTH
Not long ago, cities such as London, New York, and Singapore were the go-to choices for affluent Indians looking to invest in overseas real estate. But the tide is turning. A 2025 survey by Sotheby’s International Realty revealed that Dubai has now overtaken London as the top international property destination for India’s ultra-rich. As per Dubai Land Department (DLD), in 2024 alone, Indians accounted for the largest share of all real estate purchases in Dubai, with nearly half of all prime property buyers being Indian nationals. No wonder, many of the major UAE developers eye India as a lucrative market base. On the Indian side, UAE’s unparalleled financial depth consistently finances major developments in India. At the same time, the UAE has a growing demand for skilled labour, particularly in engineering, architecture, and construction, driven by the scale and pace of its ongoing infrastructure boom. As real estate cooperation between the two nations deepens, a bilateral framework for workforce collaboration could be a strategic next step. As capital flows from the UAE to meet India’s deep reservoir of talent and ambition, the two nations are now proactively reshaping the real estate market in both countries.
KEY AGREEMENTS & INITIATIVES
India-UAE CEPA: This trade pact facilitates economic partnerships, including investment in services. It has led to greater market access for Indian products and streamlined regulatory issues, benefiting the real estate sector through increased trade and investment.
Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT): The 2024 BIT is expected to further ease cross-border investments between the two nations.
Dubai Land Department’s Real Estate Connect: This initiative reinforces India as a strategic investment partner and encourages partnerships in luxury real estate.
UAE Golden Visa & Residency Options: The UAE’s flexible residency programs and expanded Golden Visa act as a significant draw for Indian real estate investors and HNIs.
