TimezoneTable

United Arab Emirates & India

Compare working hours between United Arab Emirates and India to find the best overlap for meetings and collaboration.

Best Time·09:00 UTC
Duration
United Arab Emirates1:00 PM
India2:00 PM
UTC
United Arab Emirates
India
00:00
06:00
12:00
18:00
24:00
Outside work
Working hours
Overlap
Best time

Work Culture Guide: United Arab Emirates & India

United Arab Emirates

Working Hours

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

The UAE workweek changed to Monday-Friday in 2022 (was Sunday-Thursday). During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours.

Lunch Break

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

60 minutes, longer during Ramadan for iftar

Business Etiquette

  • •Relationship-building is essential before conducting business
  • •Respect for hierarchy and seniority is important
  • •Be mindful of Islamic customs and prayer times
  • •Business often happens over meals; accepting hospitality is important
  • •Patience is valued; rushing negotiations is seen negatively

Major Holidays

  • Eid al-Fitr — End of Ramadan (varies)
  • Eid al-Adha — Varies by lunar calendar
  • UAE National Day — December 2
  • Islamic New Year — Varies by lunar calendar
  • Prophet's Birthday — Varies by lunar calendar

Communication Style

Indirect and relationship-focused. Building trust takes time. Face-to-face meetings are preferred for important decisions.

Meeting Culture

Meetings may start with extended pleasantries. Tea/coffee is typically offered. Decisions may take multiple meetings as consensus is built.

India

Working Hours

10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

India has a single timezone (IST) despite its size. Tech companies often have flexible hours to accommodate US clients.

Lunch Break

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

45-60 minutes, often a proper sit-down meal

Business Etiquette

  • •Hierarchical respect is important—address seniors with appropriate titles
  • •Indirect communication is common; read between the lines
  • •Building personal relationships precedes business discussions
  • •Saying "no" directly is often avoided; watch for soft declines
  • •Flexibility with time is common; schedules may shift

Major Holidays

  • Diwali — October/November (varies)
  • Holi — March (varies)
  • Republic Day — January 26
  • Independence Day — August 15
  • Eid — Varies by lunar calendar

Communication Style

Relationship-focused and context-heavy. Indians often prefer to establish rapport before diving into business matters.

Meeting Culture

Meetings may start with personal inquiries. Decisions often involve multiple stakeholders. Follow-up discussions are common before final commitments.