Jindal Saw’s Gulf expansion may sidestep US tariffs

• Indian manufacturer makes pipes
• Plant planned in Abu Dhabi
• Joint venture agreed in Saudi Arabia

India’s Jindal Saw is still exporting to the United States despite tariffs, but its growing presence in the Gulf could offer flexibility on where it supplies from as global trade barriers rise, a senior executive said.

Vinay Gupta, Jindal Saw’s president, said the pipe maker’s latest investments in the UAE and Saudi Arabia were driven by local manufacturing incentives, but have taken on greater strategic importance as trade conditions shift.

“We are still supplying to [the] US despite the tariffs, [which] means that India is competitive. Now it has to be seen how much the US will budge – and our people are now trying to, let’s say, explore other export markets as well,” he told investors during the company’s earnings call this week.

In August 2025 the US raised tariffs on some Indian imports to 50 percent, citing India’s continued energy trade with Russia as the impetus. 

Jindal Saw, which is listed on the BSE in Mumbai, makes pipes for oil, gas and water projects. It says it is the world’s third-largest producer of corrosion-resistant ductile iron pipes. The company is valued at INR124 billion ($1.36 billion).

Middle East market

The Middle East is one of its top export markets. Plans include a seamless pipe plant in Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Economic Zone (Kezad) through its subsidiary Jindal Seamless Pipe Manufacturing, including an initial $20 million equity infusion.

“The land has been secured near the existing ductile iron pipe plant,” Gupta said. “Discussions are ongoing with banks for financial closure to serve the region’s requirements.”

The company already has a ductile iron pipe facility in Abu Dhabi, which has been operating for over a decade. Gupta says it holds an order book worth $235 million.

Jindal Saw has also set up a joint venture with Saudi investment company Buhur to develop a saw pipe manufacturing facility in which Jindal will hold a 51 percent stake. They will put in up to $10 million.

Gupta said Jindal Saw expects its new Gulf projects to be commissioned in around 24 months, with financial impact from fiscal 2029.

The company has a joint venture with Saudi’s RAX United Industrial Company to build a plant for high-strength cast iron pipes, taking a 51 percent stake and investing $3 million.

“JV partners have infused initial equity,” Gupta said.

Indian exporters are increasingly considering the UAE to sidestep steep US tariffs.

“The shift has started. It’s huge already,” Faizal Kottikollon, chairman of the UAE chapter of the UAE-India Business Council, told AGBI last year.

Further reading:

• Indian companies turn to the UAE to avoid Trump tariffs
• GCC and India finalising terms to begin free trade talks
• Whopping results from a tiddler of a trip to India