India and UAE Strengthen Ties Amid West Asia Tensions
Strengthening Cooperation Between India and UAE
PM Modi with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday (Photo: @narendramodi/X)
Abu Dhabi, May 15: During a significant meeting with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India's readiness to provide comprehensive support for restoring peace in West Asia. This dialogue resulted in the signing of several agreements aimed at enhancing collaboration in sectors such as energy, defense, shipping, and advanced technology.
Modi emphasized the global repercussions of instability in the region, reaffirming India's commitment to peace initiatives.
“India is prepared to offer all necessary assistance to foster peace in West Asia,” he stated.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that the discussions encompassed various topics, including energy security, trade, investment, defense cooperation, the blue economy, fintech, technology, and cultural exchanges.
Both leaders also shared insights on regional and global developments, particularly the changing dynamics in West Asia.
A notable aspect of the visit was the signing of agreements to enhance energy cooperation. The Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) formalized a partnership aimed at bolstering India's energy security, which includes collaboration in LNG and LPG storage.
Another agreement was established to secure long-term LPG supply arrangements, ensuring stability in India's cooking gas supply chain amidst global energy fluctuations.
The two nations also formalized a framework for a strategic defense partnership, focusing on enhancing defense industrial cooperation, joint innovation, technology sharing, and regional security reinforcement.
Additional agreements were made in the shipping and advanced technology sectors, indicating a significant expansion of the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE.
Energy security is anticipated to be a primary focus of ongoing discussions, especially given the rising instability in West Asia, which raises concerns for India regarding crude oil supply routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy passage.
The MEA highlighted that the talks showcased the increasing alignment of strategic and economic priorities between the two nations in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
This meeting occurred shortly after Modi's arrival in Abu Dhabi, marking the beginning of his five-nation tour, which includes four European countries.
Upon arrival, Modi was welcomed by Al Nahyan in a rare diplomatic gesture that featured a guard of honor and aerial escort by UAE military jets.
In his opening remarks, Modi condemned the recent attacks on the UAE and commended Abu Dhabi's measured response amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
“We condemned the attacks on the UAE,” Modi remarked. “The targeting of the UAE is unacceptable, but the restraint shown by the UAE in handling the situation is commendable.”
In a social media update, Modi expressed gratitude to the UAE leadership for their “gracious gesture” and conveyed his eagerness to enhance cooperation across vital sectors, including energy, investment, and supply chains.
“I look forward to our discussions aimed at strengthening ties between India and the UAE across key sectors, such as energy, investment, supply chains, and more,” he stated.
Officials noted that this visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in West Asia involving key regional players, complicating India's energy and diplomatic interests.
Following his engagements in the UAE, Modi will proceed to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy for further discussions centered on trade, technology, green transition, and investment partnerships.