Strengthening Strategic Mineral Partnerships: India and UAE Deepen Industrial Cooperation
India Targets Raw Material Security, Engineering Expansion, and Diaspora Welfare in the Gulf
MECON and NMDC Launch Dubai Operations to Drive Global Engagement and Green Steel Diplomacy
UAE Becomes India’s Gateway for Critical Minerals, Industrial Consultancy, and Energy Innovation
In a landmark development for India’s global industrial outreach, Union Minister of Steel, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy began his official visit to the United Arab Emirates with a high-level meeting with His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), followed by the inauguration of the international offices of NMDC Limited and MECON Limited in Dubai.
The visit underscores the deep-rooted and evolving partnership between India and the UAE, built on mutual economic interests, cultural bonds, and the contribution of a thriving Indian diaspora community. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has taken deliberate steps to strengthen bilateral ties, focusing on strategic minerals, industrial collaboration, and the welfare of over 3.5 million Indians residing in the UAE.
High-Level Dialogue with Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah: Industrial Cooperation and Green Steel Prospects
During the meeting with His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Union Minister discussed a wide range of strategic opportunities, including:
- Securing long-term access to low-silica limestone from Ras Al Khaimah
- Expanding trade partnerships through value-added steel exports from India
- Exploring green hydrogen and green steel collaboration
- Establishing calcined lime production units using RAK’s local limestone and natural gas
- Enhancing engagement through CPSEs like SAIL, NMDC, and MECON
“India views steel not just as a material, but as the backbone of our infrastructure, mobility, energy, and manufacturing sectors,” said Shri Kumaraswamy. “Ras Al Khaimah’s mineral wealth, industrial potential, and clean energy focus make it an ideal partner for India’s next-generation steel and resource strategy.”
SAIL, one of India’s largest steel producers, currently sources approximately 2.5 million tonnes of limestone annually from RAK-based Stevin Rock LLC, with future procurement set to rise as part of SAIL’s capacity expansion from 20 to 35 million tonnes per annum. Shri Kumaraswamy also extended an invitation for Ras Al Khaimah to explore collaborations in infrastructure development, energy components, and raw material value chains.
NMDC: Securing Critical Minerals for India’s Green Transition
Later in Dubai, the Minister inaugurated the international office of NMDC Limited, India’s leading iron ore producer. The new office positions NMDC to pursue mineral asset acquisitions, forge strategic joint ventures, and diversify sourcing of key inputs such as steel-grade limestone, dolomite, and other critical minerals required for India’s clean energy and industrial manufacturing sectors.
“This move is part of a deliberate global strategy,” said Shri Kumaraswamy. “India’s energy transition and industrial expansion will rely on securing raw materials essential for steel, renewable energy infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.”
“Dubai’s position at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe allows NMDC to function as a strategic platform for building international mineral supply chains that directly support India’s domestic industries,” he added.
MECON: Engineering India’s Global Presence
At a parallel event, Shri Kumaraswamy also inaugurated MECON Limited’s Dubai office, marking the global expansion of one of India’s most respected public sector engineering consultancies.
“Dubai is not just a location—it is a launchpad,” said the Minister. “MECON’s presence here reflects India’s growing ability to deliver world-class engineering solutions on a global stage.”
MECON’s Dubai operations will focus on:
- Industrial project execution and planning
- Oil & gas infrastructure design
- Steel plant feasibility and expansion consultancy
- Green steel and decarbonisation strategies
- Smart manufacturing and digital twin technologies
“This step aligns with the National Steel Policy and the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat. It strengthens India’s role as a global solution provider in sustainable, technology-driven infrastructure,” Shri Kumaraswamy stated.
Dialogue with Indian Business Leaders in UAE
The Union Minister also convened a high-level interaction with CEOs and MDs of Indian-owned companies operating in the Gulf, in the presence of the Ambassador of India to the UAE and the Advisor to the Ruler of RAK. The meeting explored opportunities in:
- Mineral processing and beneficiation partnerships
- Joint R&D in green technologies
- Diaspora engagement in industrial ventures
“India’s private and public sector are now more integrated with the global economy than ever before,” the Minister noted. “Through strategic alliances and diaspora leadership, we will continue to position India as a hub of innovation, industry, and inclusive development.”
India-UAE: A Future-Facing Partnership
The day’s events reflect a broader shift in India’s international industrial strategy—one that leverages global partnerships to secure critical inputs, expand engineering influence, and uplift Indian communities abroad.
“India’s story is no longer confined within its borders,” Shri Kumaraswamy concluded. “It is being written in global cities like Dubai, by institutions like NMDC and MECON, through partnerships that build prosperity across continents.”
