India Civil Aviation Minister Holds Bilateral Talks With UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia & Dominican Republic

India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu held a series of bilateral meetings with ministerial delegations from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Russia and the Dominican Republic on the sidelines of Wings India 2026, underscoring India’s expanding global aviation footprint.

The engagements took place during Wings India 2026, Asia’s largest biennial civil aviation event, which is being hosted at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad and runs through January 31. The summit has brought together government officials, airline executives, original equipment manufacturers, airports and aviation services stakeholders from around the world to discuss partnerships, investments and collaborative initiatives.

In talks with UAE counterparts, the minister emphasised opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as airline connectivity, training and aviation infrastructure. The discussions reflected the strong strategic relationship between India and the UAE in air services, which has already seen significant traffic growth and investment flows, particularly in airline networks and cargo operations.

During the meeting with Saudi Arabian officials, the focus was on enhancing mutual market access, skills development and potential co‑operation on manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities. Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning aviation sector — supported by major national carrier expansions and infrastructure projects — presents new avenues for Indian carriers and aviation suppliers looking to grow in the Middle East.

The conversation with Russian aviation representatives highlighted avenues for strengthening technical collaboration, training, joint research and exchange in aviation safety and aircraft operations. Russia’s aerospace industry and India’s expanding civil aviation market share complementary interests, especially in areas related to technology transfer and pilot and technical training programmes.

The meeting with the Dominican Republic delegation focused on increasing air connectivity, tourism facilitation and bilateral aviation engagement. Both sides expressed interest in exploring direct flight potential and linkages that could support tourism, trade and US‑Caribbean corridor connectivity through strategic Indian gateways.

In his comments posted on social media, the minister stated that the participation of delegations from 20 countries at Wings India 2026 is a strong indicator of global confidence in India’s aviation leadership. He emphasised that India is transitioning from being a large aviation market to becoming an integrated and influential aviation ecosystem that attracts partnerships, innovation and investment.

Kinjarapu also underlined key areas of cooperation discussed in these bilateral talks, such as manufacturing, skills development, sustainability, infrastructure and training. He reiterated the government’s priority to strengthen India’s aviation manufacturing base and supply chain capabilities, aiming to make India a global exporter in civil aviation over the next decade.

Wings India 2026 serves as a platform for forging cross‑border engagements and expanding aviation linkages while showcasing India’s potential in aircraft manufacturing, air services liberalisation, digital aviation and sustainable practices. The series of meetings further reinforced the country’s position as an emerging aviation hub with strong policy support and international interest.

Beyond the bilateral talks, the minister also engaged with senior executives from global aerospace firms, including Airbus, to discuss ways of integrating Indian micro, small and medium enterprises into global aviation supply chains. These interactions are aligned with broader national objectives of driving innovation, creating jobs and enhancing technology adoption in civil aviation.

The commitments and discussions at Wings India 2026 signal that India’s civil aviation sector will continue to play an influential role in shaping regional and global air transport dynamics, drawing investments, partnerships and collaborative ventures that support long‑term growth.