India, UAE Forge Strategic Defence Partnership Amid Regional Tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met in Abu Dhabi on Friday, where the two nations agreed on a framework for a strategic defence partnership. The agreement was announced by the Indian foreign ministry, which stated that both sides would deepen cooperation in defence industrial collaboration, innovation, advanced technology, training, exercises, maritime security, cyber defence, secure communications, and information exchange.

The meeting, held during the first leg of Modi's five-nation tour that also includes several European countries, was marked by a series of agreements covering defence, energy, and shipping. According to reports from Dawn, the pacts also included cooperation on strategic petroleum reserves and the supply of liquefied petroleum gas. Al Jazeera noted that a key area of agreement was the potential storage of crude oil in Fujairah, UAE, to form part of India's strategic petroleum reserve.

The UAE is home to approximately 4.3 million Indians, and the visit underscored the close ties between the two nations. Modi was received at the airport by President Al Nahyan and accorded a guard of honour, reflecting the importance placed on the visit by the UAE.

Broader Agreements and Investments

The agreements reached during the visit build on earlier cooperation. In January, New Delhi and Abu Dhabi signed a $3 billion deal for India to purchase LNG from the UAE, its third-largest trading partner. The current visit also saw the announcement of UAE investments worth $5 billion in India, as reported by Dawn. These investments include past deals such as Emirates NBD's acquisition of a 60% stake in Ratnakar Bank Limited last year for $3 billion, and Abu Dhabi's International Holding Company's $1 billion investment in Sammaan Capital.

The strategic defence partnership agreement, as outlined in an official statement, aims to enhance cooperation on innovation and advanced technology, training, military exercises, maritime security, cyber defence, and secure communications. This signifies a deepening of the bilateral relationship, which has been growing steadily over recent years.

Condemnation of Attacks and Support for Peace

During the meeting, Modi condemned the attacks on the UAE, a statement carried by both Al Jazeera and The Hindu. He said, "We condemned the attacks on the UAE" and added that "the way the UAE has been targeted is not acceptable," while praising "the way UAE has handled the current situation with restraint." These remarks come in the context of recent Iranian strikes on the UAE, which have targeted the eastern coast emirate of Fujairah with drones and missiles, setting an oil refinery on fire and injuring three Indian workers, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Modi also expressed India's readiness to extend support for peace in West Asia, as reported by The Hindu. He stated, "India is ready to extend all possible support to bring peace in West Asia," highlighting the global impact of the conflict.

The ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran has roiled global energy markets, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for around 20% of global oil—disrupting transportation and business across the Gulf. Iranian strikes have hit Gulf countries, including the UAE, before a fragile ceasefire was reached last month, according to Dawn. The impact has been felt in India, with Al Jazeera reporting a 3% increase in fuel prices.

Perspectives

The visit and agreements have been framed differently across sources. Al Jazeera emphasized the defence and energy partnerships, placing them in the context of heightened tensions between Abu Dhabi and Tehran. Dawn focused on the strategic partnership and energy agreements, with an informative tone, attributing the developments to Indian foreign ministry statements. The Hindu highlighted Modi's meeting with the UAE President and his support for peace in West Asia, providing direct quotes from Modi and framing the visit as part of a broader five-nation tour.

While some sources noted the impact of the US-Israeli war on global energy markets, others focused more on the bilateral aspects of the visit. The Hindu, for instance, did not mention the specific details of the defence partnership or investments, instead emphasizing Modi's statements on condemning attacks and supporting peace. These differences reflect editorial priorities and regional perspectives, but the core facts of the agreements and the meeting are consistent across reports.