🏙️ India and Dubai office markets post record demand amid global uncertainty

India’s office leasing hit a record in the first half of 2026, while Dubai office sales value jumped 203% year on year in Q1, underscoring resilient demand for commercial property across two major hubs. Both markets are being driven by multinational expansion, global capability centres and tighter prime supply.

CBRE said India recorded record leasing volumes in H1 2026 as multinational firms expanded operations and flexible workspace operators signed larger deals, according to Reuters. In Dubai, Cavendish Maxwell reported office sales of AED8.2 billion in Q1 2026, up sharply from a year earlier. Separate market briefings also pointed to near-zero vacancy in key Dubai districts such as DIFC, One Central and Downtown, with grade-A vacancy around 5%.

Why it matters for investors

The data points to a shared theme across the two markets: corporate occupiers are still prioritising high-quality office space despite broader geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty. In India, the expansion of multinational capability centres is supporting long-duration demand, while in Dubai, constrained prime supply is translating into stronger pricing power and transaction volumes. For commercial landlords, the combination of absorption and scarcity is improving income visibility, while investors are likely to continue favouring districts with strong tenant depth and limited new competing stock.

➡️ India’s office market is being supported by multinational expansion and flexible workspace demand.

➡️ Dubai’s prime office supply remains tight, with vacancy at about 5% in grade-A stock.

The signal for international capital is that selective office assets in India and the UAE remain among the more resilient commercial bets in Asia and the Gulf.