Key agreements on energy and technology were exchanged amid focus on protecting Indian nationals.
New agreements across energy, AI, defence, shipping, and investment signal growing strategic alignment between India and the UAE.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his multi-country diplomatic tour with a high-level visit to the United Arab Emirates, where discussions focused heavily on strengthening long-term economic, technological, and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally welcomed Modi in Abu Dhabi, underlining the growing importance of India-UAE relations within the broader regional and global landscape.
The visit included delegation-level talks, official ceremonies, strategic agreement exchanges, and discussions around regional security, energy stability, artificial intelligence, maritime infrastructure, and investment collaboration.
A Relationship Expanding Beyond Trade
India and the UAE have steadily transformed their relationship over the last decade from a traditional trade partnership into a broader strategic alliance covering technology, infrastructure, defence, food security, and advanced industries.
During the visit, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries.
The discussions also reflected growing geopolitical coordination between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi, particularly as regional tensions in the Middle East continue affecting global energy markets, maritime trade routes, and supply chains.
Modi described the UAE as his “second home,” emphasizing the emotional and economic connection shared between the countries, especially through the large Indian expatriate community living across the Emirates.
Energy Cooperation Remains Central
Energy security remained one of the major pillars of the discussions.
Among the agreements exchanged were strategic partnerships between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, alongside additional LPG supply agreements involving Indian Oil Corporation and ADNOC.
These partnerships come at a time when global oil markets remain highly sensitive due to ongoing geopolitical instability surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
For India, strengthening long-term energy arrangements with the UAE helps improve supply stability and diversify strategic reserves. For the UAE, India continues to represent one of the world’s fastest-growing major energy markets.
Artificial Intelligence and Supercomputing Partnerships
Technology and artificial intelligence emerged as another major focus area during the visit.
One of the most significant announcements involved a collaboration between G42, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, and India’s Centre for Development of Advanced Computing.
The partnership aims to establish an 8-exaflop supercomputing cluster in India, reflecting growing UAE interest in becoming a global AI infrastructure and technology investment hub.
The agreement also highlights how India’s technology ecosystem and engineering capabilities continue attracting strategic Gulf investment beyond traditional sectors like oil and real estate.
Defence and Maritime Cooperation Expands
The visit also produced deeper defence and maritime cooperation.
A framework agreement on strategic defence collaboration was exchanged between the defence ministries of both countries, signaling increasing security coordination amid rising regional tensions.
Meanwhile, maritime agreements between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Drydocks World will support the development of a ship repair cluster at Vadinar in India.
The two sides also agreed on skill development initiatives linked to ship repair and maritime infrastructure.
Given the UAE’s position as a global logistics hub and India’s growing maritime ambitions, these partnerships reflect a wider push toward strengthening regional supply-chain resilience and shipping connectivity.
Major Investment Commitments Announced
Several major financial and infrastructure investments were also announced during the visit.
Emirates NBD confirmed an AED 11.02 billion stake acquisition in RBL Bank, while Abu Dhabi Investment Authority expanded its participation in India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund.
Additional investments involving the International Holding Company and Sammaan Capital further demonstrated deepening financial integration between the two economies.
The scale of these investments reflects growing Gulf confidence in India’s long-term growth story and infrastructure expansion plans.
Regional Stability and the Indian Community
Regional security discussions also formed an important part of the visit.
Both leaders exchanged views on ongoing Middle East tensions, maritime stability, and energy supply risks, particularly as uncertainty surrounding Iran continues affecting regional diplomacy and global markets.
Modi strongly condemned any targeting of the UAE during the ongoing regional conflict and thanked the UAE leadership for ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian nationals living in the Emirates.
The Indian diaspora remains one of the strongest human bridges between the two countries, with millions of Indians contributing to sectors ranging from construction and healthcare to finance and technology across the UAE.
A Partnership Becoming More Strategic
The visit reinforced how India-UAE relations are evolving beyond conventional diplomacy into a long-term strategic partnership shaped by technology, energy transition, logistics, artificial intelligence, defence cooperation, and investment alignment.
For both countries, the relationship now carries broader geopolitical significance.
India views the UAE as a critical economic and strategic gateway to the Middle East and Africa. At the same time, the UAE increasingly sees India as a major technology, talent, infrastructure, and investment partner for the future global economy.
Source: Gulf News
Read more news and follow us on Instagram
India, UAE eye deeper trade and tech cooperation as Modi starts Gulf leg
Photo: Narendra Modi/X
