India and UAE sign defense, energy deals during Modi visit

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India and UAE sign defense, energy deals during Modi visit

May 15, 2026

DUBAI,— India and the United Arab Emirates agreed on a framework for a strategic defense partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Gulf nation on Friday, India’s foreign ministry said, as both countries seek closer ties during the war involving Iran.

India and the UAE also signed agreements covering strategic petroleum reserves and supplies of liquefied petroleum gas, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said the defense partnership would expand defense industrial collaboration and cooperation in innovation and advanced technology, training, exercises, maritime security, cyber defense, secure communications and information exchange.

Before Modi’s visit, Indian sources told Reuters that the prime minister was expected to discuss long-term energy supply agreements with UAE officials and seek support for expanding New Delhi’s strategic oil reserves.

The UAE’s decision last month to leave OPEC is expected to increase its oil output and support importing countries such as India.

The U.S. and Israeli war on Iran, now in its third month, has disrupted global energy markets following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for roughly 20% of global oil supplies.

The conflict also affected transportation and business activity across the Gulf after Iranian strikes hit Gulf countries, including the UAE, before a fragile ceasefire was reached last month.

In January, New Delhi and Abu Dhabi signed a $3 billion agreement for India to purchase LNG from the UAE, India’s third-largest trading partner.

The two sides also signed a letter of intent aimed at creating a strategic defense partnership.

The developments followed a mutual defense agreement signed last year between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan has since emerged as a mediator between the United States and Iran in efforts to end the war and has also strengthened Saudi Arabia’s defenses after the kingdom faced hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks.

Riyadh said last month it would provide Pakistan with an additional $3 billion to help address a financing gap tied to an upcoming debt repayment to the UAE.

India’s foreign ministry also announced UAE investments worth $5 billion, including Emirates NBD’s purchase last year of a 60% stake in RBL Bank for $3 billion and Abu Dhabi’s IHC investment of $1 billion in Sammaan.

The statement highlighted the growing economic and security relationship between India and the UAE during a period of instability and diplomatic activity across the Gulf region in general.

(With files from Reuters)