UAE: 9 Indian tycoons feature on Forbes 2026 billionaires list
text_fields
Nine Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates feature on the Forbes World’s Billionaires List 2026, with a combined wealth estimated at $49.9 billion.
The list places a spotlight on Indian-origin business figures operating in the Gulf across retail, construction, real estate, education, healthcare and manufacturing.
UAE-based Indian fortunes
Vinod Adani is the highest-ranked among the group, placed 121st globally with an estimated net worth of $20.8 billion. He is linked to overseas investment entities associated with India’s Adani Group, which has interests in infrastructure, logistics, ports and energy.
Retail sector presence
Lulu Group chairman M A Yusuff Ali ranks 720th worldwide with a wealth estimated at $5.8 billion. Landmark Group chairperson Renuka Jagtiani follows at 749th with a fortune of $5.6 billion. Both lead retail operations spanning the Middle East and other international markets.
Construction and property
RP Group founder Ravi Pillai is ranked 1,011th globally with an estimated $4.2 billion. Sobha Group founder P N C Menon stands at 1,108th with $3.9 billion. Dubai-based FIVE Holdings founder Kabir Mulchandani is listed 1,913th with a net worth of $2.2 billion.
Education, healthcare and industry
GEMS Education founder Sunny Varkey is ranked 1,074th with an estimated $4 billion fortune. Burjeel Holdings founder Shamsheer Vayalil appears at 2,274th with $1.8 billion. Triveni Engineering & Industries chairman Dhruv Sawhney is placed 2,481st with wealth estimated at $1.6 billion.
Forbes counts 3,428 billionaires worldwide in its 2026 edition, the highest since the list began in 1987. Combined wealth is estimated at $20.1 trillion, compared with $16.1 trillion the previous year.
Elon Musk leads the global ranking with an estimated $839 billion fortune, followed by Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.
