Out of the five documents inked by the two sides, the most striking one was the letter of intent to establish a strategic defence partnership, a move that came four months after Pakistan and Saudi Arabia sealed a defence pact to strengthen their decades-long defence ties.
Under the defence partnership, India and the UAE are eyeing defence industrial collaboration and cooperation in advanced technologies, cyberspace training, special operations, interoperability of their militaries and counter terrorism.
Another pact was inked to provide for the purchase of 0.5 million metric tonnes of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Gas over a period of 10 years starting 2028. The UAE is India’s second-largest supplier of LNG to India after Qatar.
The two sides also decided to explore collaboration in advanced nuclear technologies, including the development of large nuclear reactors and small modular reactors, as well as cooperation in advanced reactor systems, nuclear power plant operations and maintenance and nuclear safety.
For the UAE, which shares maritime proximity with Iran, stability across the Gulf remains a core priority. India, too, has strategic stakes in Iran linked to energy security, connectivity projects, and regional balance. The evolving situation adds another layer of complexity to regional diplomacy surrounding the visit.
https://dailypioneer.com/news/india-uae-expand-ties-in-defence-tech-sign-lng-deal