During his visit to Abu Dhabi, India and the United Arab Emirates formalised a series of agreements spanning defence cooperation, long-term liquefied petroleum gas supply, strategic petroleum reserve collaboration, and maritime shipping arrangements. According to reports cited by Hindustan Times, a key component of the deal includes a strategic partnership between Indian Oil Company Limited and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for long-term liquefied petroleum gas supply, reinforcing long-term energy security frameworks between the two nations.
The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding exploring the storage of up to 30 million barrels in India’s strategic petroleum reserves, strengthening India’s energy resilience amid global market uncertainties. Additionally, a structured framework for a strategic defence partnership was finalised, encompassing industrial collaboration, advanced technology exchange, training cooperation, and enhanced maritime security coordination.
Prime Minister Modi also met United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where discussions extended to regional security concerns and recent attacks on United Arab Emirates infrastructure. Modi strongly condemned these incidents and stated, “India stands shoulder to shoulder with the UAE in all circumstances and will remain so in future,” reaffirming India’s commitment to its strategic partner in the Gulf region.
Economic investments formed another key pillar of the visit. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and India’s National Infrastructure and Investment Fund are reportedly exploring investments of up to 1 billion US dollars in Indian infrastructure development. Emirates NBD has committed an investment of 3 billion US dollars in RBL Bank, while the International Holding Company of the United Arab Emirates has pledged 1 billion US dollars investment in India’s Salman Company, as further details emerged from the agreements.
The diplomatic engagement underscores India’s deepening strategic alignment with the United Arab Emirates across energy security, defence cooperation, and infrastructure financing, while also setting the stage for further international engagement as Prime Minister Modi proceeds to discussions with Dutch leadership.
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