India, UAE sign strategic defence, energy, shipping deals

India and the UAE today (May 15) signed seven strategic agreements spanning across vital areas such as energy, defense, infrastructure, shipping and advanced technology during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brief visit to UAE, the first stop of his five‑nation tour.

The two countries also signed pacts on strategic petroleum reserves and supply of liquefied petroleum gas during a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the UAE, reported Reuters.

“The two ​sides have agreed on deepening defense industrial collaboration and cooperation on innovation and advanced technology, training, exercises, maritime ​security, cyber defense, secure communications and information exchange,” stated the report citing the ministry.

Following the UAE leg of the visit, Modi will travel to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. This will be his first visit to Europe after finalizing the trade deal with the European Union (EU). It will also be his first bilateral visit to Italy since Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s election, reported the Economic Times.

Giving fresh impetus to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the UAE has announced $5 billion investments in India.

The UAE was the first stop on a five‑nation tour that lasted around two and a half hours. Modi held talks with UAE President HH Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and presided over the signing of seven agreements that had been months in the making.

He will visit the Netherlands from May 15 to 17, Sweden from May 17 to 18, Norway from May 18 to 19, and conclude his tour in Italy from May 19 to 20, where he will hold high-level talks with the leaders of the respective countries.

Over the past 12 years, the UAE has emerged as India’s principal partner in the Middle East. The two countries have built a multifaceted bilateral partnership rooted in common interests in the economic, energy and security domains. They have also brought in like‑minded nations such as France, Israel and the US to form multiple multilateral forums to pursue shared objectives.

Following the visit, Modi said on social media: “This UAE visit also saw the conclusion of key agreements across vital areas such as energy, defense, infrastructure, shipping and advanced technology, giving fresh impetus to the India‑UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

“In another important development, UAE announced investments worth $5 billion in India. This will further deepen economic ties,” he added.

In his remarks, Modi condemned attacks on the Emirates during the ongoing West Asia conflict and extended all possible support to help bring peace to the region.

Modi said that “the way UAE has been targeted is not acceptable”, but added that “the way UAE has handled the current situation with restraint is praiseworthy”. He highlighted how the impact of the West Asian conflict is being felt globally.

In a post on X, Modi referred to the UAE President as ‘my brother’ and said he conveyed appreciation for Sheikh Mohamed’s “leadership, courage, and wisdom,” which, he said, had been evident during the ongoing period of regional tensions. The Prime Minister also thanked the UAE leadership for the care and attention extended to the Indian community living in the Gulf nation.

During the meeting between Modi and UAE President, a tripartite MoU has been signed between Cochin Shipyard Limited, Drydocks World and the Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding to strengthen skill development in ship repair.

The agreement aims to create a framework for mobilizing, training and employing a skilled maritime workforce, while enhancing the capabilities of Indian workers and positioning India as a hub for shipbuilding and ship repair professionals.