India–UAE ties deepened further as Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, with both sides announcing new commitments in energy security, investment, defence and technology cooperation.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi held formal talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where the two leaders reviewed the trajectory of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and underlined shared interests in regional peace, security and stability. India reiterated its condemnation of recent attacks on the UAE that injured Indian nationals and stressed that safe, uninterrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is critical for regional and global energy and food security.
Energy cooperation was a central pillar of the discussions, with both sides highlighting the UAE’s role in India’s energy security architecture through supplies of crude oil, LNG and LPG. A Strategic Collaboration Agreement between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) will expand UAE participation in India’s strategic petroleum reserves to 30 million barrels, support the creation of strategic gas reserves in India and underpin a long-term LPG supply arrangement between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and ADNOC.
The economic track saw significant new capital commitments from UAE entities into India, signalling long-term confidence in India’s growth prospects. Announced investments totalled 5 billion dollars, including 3 billion dollars by Emirates New Development Bank in RBL Bank, 1 billion dollars by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in partnership with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund for priority infrastructure projects, and 1 billion dollars by International Holding Company in Sammaan Capital.
Defence and security cooperation was elevated with the signing of a Framework for the Strategic Defence Partnership, positioning defence as a key pillar of the relationship. The framework covers industrial collaboration, joint development and production of defence systems, training and exercises, maritime security, cyber defence, secure communications and enhanced information exchange.
On the technology and industrial side, the two countries agreed on a series of initiatives intended to build capacity and infrastructure in India with Emirati participation. These include a memorandum of understanding to develop a ship repair cluster at Vadinar, an agreement among Cochin Shipyard, Drydocks World Dubai and the Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding on maritime skill development, and a term sheet between India’s Centre for Development of Advanced Computing and UAE-based G42 to establish an 8 exaflop super compute cluster in India.
To support trade facilitation, India and the UAE welcomed the operationalisation of a Virtual Trade Corridor using the MAITRI digital platform connecting customs and port authorities. The corridor aims to cut trade costs and reduce transit time by streamlining documentation and enhancing transparency in cargo movements between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi thanked the UAE leadership for its hospitality and reaffirmed India’s commitment to further expanding the partnership across energy, trade, investment, defence and emerging technologies. He also extended an invitation to the UAE President to visit India at an early date, underscoring the importance both sides place on regular high-level engagement.
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