Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday produced a string of agreements spanning defence, energy, maritime infrastructure and banking, with a UAE investment commitment of $5 billion announced in the presence of both leaders.
Modi held delegation-level talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, where he was accorded a guard of honour on arrival. The meeting, witnessed by both delegations, saw the exchange of several agreements and MoUs.
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Defence Partnership, Formally Framed
The most significant agreement signed was the Framework for a Strategic Defence Partnership between the two countries. This formalises and elevates what has been a growing security relationship, giving it a structured basis for cooperation in defence manufacturing, procurement and strategic coordination.
The signing comes at a time when the West Asia region is under acute stress from the ongoing US-Iran conflict and the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Energy Cooperation At The Centre
Two energy agreements were inked. The first is an MoU on Strategic Petroleum Reserves — significant for India, which imports nearly 85 per cent of its crude oil and has been working to build buffer stocks against supply shocks.
The second is an agreement on LPG supplies, which will help India secure cooking gas imports as global energy markets remain volatile. The UAE is among India's key energy suppliers in the Gulf.
Ship Repair Cluster At Vadinar
In the maritime sector, both sides signed an MoU for setting up a ship repair cluster at Vadinar in Gujarat. Vadinar is home to one of India's largest private oil terminals and is well-positioned to become a hub for maritime services in the region.
The cluster is expected to create jobs and reduce India's dependence on foreign shipyards for repair and maintenance work.
$5 Billion Into Indian Infrastructure And Banking
In a major financial announcement, UAE investments worth USD 5 billion were committed — directed at Indian infrastructure, RBL Bank, and Sammaan Capital.This adds to the substantial UAE investment presence in India, which has grown steadily under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the two countries elevated in recent years.
The UAE is India's third-largest trade partner and its seventh-largest source of cumulative investment over the past 25 years. More than 4.5 million Indians live in the UAE, making people-to-people ties another anchor of the relationship.
Modi departs for the Netherlands next, as part of his five-nation tour running through May 20.
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