India, UAE sign strategic ties in Defence, LNG, and Space Cooperation as PM Modi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan hold talks in Delhi

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan undertook a short but high-impact visit to India on Monday at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, holding nearly three hours of wide-ranging discussions that underscored the growing depth of the India–UAE strategic partnership.

PM Modi personally received Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan upon his arrival in New Delhi around 4:30 pm, later describing him as “my brother” in a post on X. “His visit illustrates the importance he attaches to a strong India-UAE friendship,” Modi said, adding that he looked forward to substantive discussions.

According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misry, the talks culminated in an ambitious roadmap to double bilateral trade from the current $100 billion to $200 billion by 2032. Several agreements and letters of intent were signed during the visit, spanning critical sectors such as energy, defence, and space, signalling a decisive push to expand both commercial and strategic cooperation.

A major highlight of the visit was the strengthening of energy ties. Misry revealed that the UAE has emerged as India’s second-largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG). In a significant step towards enhancing India’s energy security, a 10-year LNG supply agreement was signed between India’s Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), with supplies scheduled to begin in 2028.

Strategic cooperation was further elevated with the signing of letters of intent aimed at advancing a comprehensive defence partnership framework. The two sides also agreed to collaborate on the development and commercialisation of space infrastructure, reflecting growing trust and convergence in high-technology and security domains. Misry described these agreements as “key steps in enhancing our strategic and commercial engagement with the UAE.”

The leaders also reviewed defence cooperation, including plans to expand industrial collaboration and specialised training programmes, particularly for special forces, to further strengthen security ties.

Cultural and people-to-people engagement featured prominently in the discussions as well. India and the UAE agreed to work towards establishing a ‘House of India’ in Abu Dhabi, envisioned as a state-of-the-art cultural complex housing a museum that showcases India’s rich civilisational heritage.

PM Modi acknowledged the UAE’s role as home to the largest Indian diaspora in the region and expressed appreciation for the Emirati leadership’s continued efforts to protect the welfare and interests of Indian nationals. Both leaders exchanged views on key regional developments in West Asia, including the situations in Yemen and Gaza, and jointly condemned cross-border terrorism.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also conveyed support for India’s chairmanship of BRICS, reflecting a shared strategic outlook and deepening alignment between the two nations.

Following his arrival, the UAE President accompanied PM Modi to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, where the leaders held detailed discussions that reaffirmed the momentum and long-term vision underpinning the India–UAE comprehensive strategic partnership.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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