Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Abu Dhabi on Friday and signed major agreements with the United Arab Emirates. The visit focused on energy security, defence ties, trade, and infrastructure investment.
The two nations agreed on a plan to store 30 million barrels of crude oil in India’s strategic petroleum reserves. The UAE also promised investments worth USD 5 billion in Indian infrastructure and financial firms.
The visit came during rising tensions in West Asia. Days earlier, the UAE faced missile and drone attacks linked to the regional conflict. During the meeting, Modi strongly supported the UAE and called for peace and stability in the region.
Modi met UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the short visit. The Indian Prime Minister said India stands “shoulder to shoulder” with the UAE during difficult times.
He also said attacks on the UAE were unacceptable. Modi praised the UAE leadership for handling the crisis with restraint and calm action.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and safe. He said free movement through the waterway is important for global energy and food security.
India also offered support for peace efforts in West Asia. Modi said the effects of the regional conflict are being felt around the world.
The Prime Minister’s Office later released a statement about the talks. It said both leaders discussed regional peace, energy security, and stronger strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Energy cooperation was one of the biggest outcomes of the visit. India and the UAE signed a strategic collaboration agreement between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
The deal will increase the UAE’s participation in India’s oil reserves to 30 million barrels. The two sides will also work together on strategic gas reserves in India.
Indian Oil Corporation also signed a long-term LPG supply agreement with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
The UAE is already one of India’s top energy partners. Last year, it became India’s fourth-largest source of crude oil. It supplied nearly 11 percent of India’s crude oil needs.
The UAE is also India’s largest supplier of LPG. It meets nearly 40 percent of India’s total LPG demand.
This is not the first energy partnership between the two countries. In 2018, the UAE became the first nation to store crude oil in India’s strategic reserves. At that time, over 5 million barrels were stored at India’s underground facility in Mangaluru.
Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited manages India’s emergency crude oil reserves. The company works under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. It maintains large underground storage facilities to protect India during supply disruptions.
Along with energy deals, the UAE also announced major investments in India.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and India’s National Infrastructure and Investment Fund will explore infrastructure investments worth up to USD 1 billion.
Emirates NBD plans to invest USD 3 billion in RBL Bank. Another USD 1 billion investment will come from International Holding Company into Sammaan Capital.
India said these investments show the UAE’s long-term confidence in India’s economic growth.
Defence cooperation was another key part of the visit. Both countries signed a framework for a strategic defence partnership.
The agreement covers defence technology, military training, maritime security, cyber defence, and secure communications.
The two sides also agreed to deepen defence industry cooperation and innovation partnerships.
Modi received a warm welcome in Abu Dhabi. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally received him at the airport. Modi was also given a guard of honour.
In a special gesture, Emirati fighter jets escorted the Indian Prime Minister’s aircraft as it entered UAE airspace.
Later, Modi thanked the UAE President for the warm welcome and praised the country for treating the Indian community like family members.
The UAE President also highlighted the strong partnership between the two countries. He said both nations remain committed to growth, peace, and regional stability.
Modi’s visit to the UAE came just one day after he met Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in New Delhi during a BRICS-related meeting.
The latest agreements show that India and the UAE are expanding cooperation in energy, defence, finance, and regional security at a time of global uncertainty.
