PM Modi Visits UAE, Strengthens Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Abu Dhabi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates today, where he was warmly received at the airport by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. The visit was marked by a ceremonial welcome and in-depth bilateral discussions that underscored the growing ties between the two nations.
During the talks, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s strong condemnation of recent attacks on the UAE and expressed full solidarity with its leadership and people. He also conveyed India’s firm stance on ensuring safe transit and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as critical for regional peace, stability, and global energy and food security.
The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and welcomed the continued deepening of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Key sectors highlighted included energy, trade, investment, defence, security, fintech, infrastructure, education, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. They noted the remarkable success of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has propelled bilateral trade to new heights.
Energy cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. The UAE remains a vital partner in India’s energy security, supplying crude oil, LNG, and LPG. The leaders agreed to expand this partnership through new initiatives. Notably, they welcomed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to increase UAE’s participation in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves to 30 million barrels. They also endorsed plans for strategic gas reserves in India and a long-term LPG supply arrangement between Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and ADNOC.
In a significant boost to economic ties, UAE entities announced investments totalling USD 5 billion into India. These include USD 3 billion by Emirates NBD in RBL Bank, USD 1 billion by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) in partnership with the National Infrastructure and Investment Fund (NIIF) for priority infrastructure projects, and USD 1 billion by the International Holding Company in Sammaan Capital. These commitments reflect the UAE’s long-term confidence in India’s growth trajectory.
Defence cooperation received a major fillip with the signing of a Framework for the Strategic Defence Partnership. The agreement focuses on defence industrial collaboration, innovation, advanced technology, joint training, exercises, maritime security, cyber defence, and secure communications.
Additional agreements signed during the visit include an MoU between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Drydocks World, Dubai, for a ship repair cluster at Vadinar; a tripartite skill development MoU involving the Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding; and a term sheet for an 8 Exaflop Super Compute Cluster in collaboration with CDAC and G-42. The operationalisation of the Virtual Trade Corridor using the MAITRI platform is expected to significantly ease cargo movement and reduce trade costs and transit times.
Prime Minister Modi thanked President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the gracious hospitality and extended an invitation for him to visit India at an early date.
The visit is expected to further elevate India-UAE relations across multiple fronts, reinforcing their shared vision of a strong and mutually beneficial partnership.
