Time
Live Business City Clocks
Business Hours Overlap
India: Mon–Sat 9:30 AM–6:30 PM IST | United Arab Emirates: Monday–Friday (government), some businesses Sat 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM GST
India–UAE has near-perfect business-hours overlap. UAE (GST, UTC+4) is 1 hour 30 minutes behind IST. Nearly the entire UAE business day falls within India's business day.
IST ↔ United Arab Emirates Quick Reference
| 🇮🇳 IST | GST |
|---|---|
| 9:30 AM IST | 8:00 AM GST |
| 12:00 PM IST | 10:30 AM GST |
| 2:00 PM IST | 12:30 PM GST |
| 5:00 PM IST | 3:30 PM GST |
| 7:00 PM IST | 5:30 PM GST |
| 9:00 PM IST | 7:30 PM GST |
Key Commercial Ports
🇮🇳 India
| Port | City | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNPT / Nhava Sheva | Mumbai | 24×7 | Main gateway for UAE trade; gold & petroleum imports |
| Mundra Port | Gujarat | 24×7 | LPG & petroleum re-export from UAE |
| Kochi Port | Kochi | 24×7 | Spices, marine, and remittance-linked trade |
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
| Port | City | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Jebel Ali (DP World) | Dubai | 24×7 | World's 9th busiest container port; India's single largest export destination port |
| Khalifa Port | Abu Dhabi | 24×7 | Semi-automated; handles LNG and bulk cargo |
| Port of Hamriyah | Sharjah | 24×7 | Steel, cement, chemicals; SME-focused |
* Most major international ports operate 24×7 for vessel operations; customs clearance and gate hours vary. Always verify with the port authority or your freight forwarder.
Top Traded Goods
🇮🇳 India Exports to United Arab Emirates
- Gold & jewellery (re-export)
- Diamonds (polished & rough)
- Petroleum products
- Engineering goods
- Apparel & textiles
- Chemicals
- Foodstuffs & rice
🇮🇳 India Imports from United Arab Emirates
- Crude oil & LNG
- Gold (raw)
- Silver & precious metals
- Chemical fertilizers
- Dates & dry fruits
- Polypropylene & plastics
- Aluminium
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between India and UAE?
Indian Standard Time (IST, UTC+5:30) is 1 hour 30 minutes ahead of Gulf Standard Time (GST, UTC+4). The UAE does not observe daylight saving time.
Do India and UAE business hours overlap?
Yes — almost perfectly. UAE business hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM GST) equal 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM IST, which is exactly India's standard business day. All 9 hours of the UAE work day fall within Indian working hours.
What is the CEPA between India and UAE?
India and the UAE signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022, effective May 2022. It targets $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 and eliminates duties on 80%+ of tariff lines.
Which Indian goods are most popular in Dubai's Jebel Ali port?
Top Indian goods processed at Jebel Ali include polished diamonds, gold jewellery, apparel, engineering goods, chemicals, and foodstuffs. Jebel Ali also re-exports Indian goods across the GCC region.