Modi visit strengthens India-UAE defence ties with major new deals
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to strengthen their defence and strategic cooperation by signing a framework for a new defence partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Gulf country.
According to a statement from the Indian foreign ministry, both sides also signed important agreements related to strategic petroleum reserves and the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), highlighting growing energy cooperation.
Under the new defence framework, India and the UAE will expand collaboration in defence production, innovation, advanced technology, joint military training, maritime security, cyber defence, secure communication, and information sharing. Officials said India also discussed long-term energy supply arrangements during the visit, with a focus on strengthening its strategic oil reserves and ensuring stable fuel imports.
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The UAE’s recent exit from OPEC is expected to allow it to increase oil production, which may benefit major importers like India by improving supply flexibility in global energy markets.
Energy markets in the region have remained unstable due to ongoing tensions linked to the US and Israeli conflict with Iran, which disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade route.
The conflict also affected Gulf economies after Iranian strikes targeted several regional countries, including the UAE, before a fragile ceasefire was reached last month. Earlier this year, India and the UAE also signed a $3 billion LNG supply deal, along with a plan to develop a long-term strategic defence partnership.
The Indian foreign ministry further announced $5 billion in UAE investments, including major financial deals involving Emirates NBD and Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company, strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
