Here’s a quick snapshot of current exchange rates (as of February 18, 2026) for major South Asian and Southeast Asian currencies against the UAE dirham (AED):
Dubai: Weakness in key Asian currencies is boosting the value of the UAE dirham for expatriates sending money home, with the Indian rupee, Pakistani rupee, and Philippine peso hovering near multi‑year lows.
The Indian rupee recently hit a new low of ₹24.98 per UAE dirham, creating one of the most favourable remittance windows for Indian expatriates. Exchange houses report that many families are splitting transfers—sending part immediately while holding the rest to see if rates improve further.
Meanwhile, the Philippine peso has been trading between 15.87 and 16.13 per dirham, pressured by political uncertainty, slower economic growth, and a widening corruption probe. Traders say this marks one of the peso’s most volatile periods since 2022.
For now, attractive rates are leading households to rethink their approach, weighing whether to lock in current levels or hold off in anticipation of further market movements.
Current rates vs UAE Dirham (February 18, 2026):
- Indian rupee (INR): 24.65, slightly weaker than yesterday’s 24.61
- Pakistani rupee (PKR): 76.67, unchanged from yesterday
- Philippine peso (PHP): 15.73, slightly weaker than yesterday’s 15.72
These small movements keep the dirham favorable for remittances to India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
