India and the UAE strengthened their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the United Arab Emirates on May 15, 2026. The two countries signed major agreements in energy, defence, infrastructure, trade, and technology sectors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates on May 15, 2026. He was received at the airport by Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and was accorded a ceremonial welcome.
During the visit, the two leaders held detailed discussions on regional and global developments, along with bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Modi strongly condemned the recent attacks on the UAE and expressed India’s solidarity with the UAE leadership and people. He also highlighted the importance of safe and uninterrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for regional peace, stability, and global energy and food security.
The leaders reviewed the progress of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across sectors such as energy, trade, investment, defence, security, fintech, infrastructure, education, culture, and people-to-people ties. They praised the success of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has significantly boosted bilateral trade.
Energy cooperation remained a key focus of the discussions. The UAE reaffirmed its role as a major partner in India’s energy security through supplies of crude oil, LNG, and LPG. Both sides welcomed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to increase UAE participation in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves to 30 million barrels. The two countries will also work together on strategic gas reserves in India.
The leaders also welcomed a long-term LPG supply arrangement between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and ADNOC.
A major highlight of the visit was the announcement of USD 5 billion in UAE investments into India. Emirates NBD will invest USD 3 billion in RBL Bank of India, while Abu Dhabi Investment Authority will invest USD 1 billion with the National Infrastructure & Investment Fund in infrastructure projects. Another USD 1 billion investment will come from International Holding Company into Sammaan Capital.
Defence cooperation was also strengthened during the visit with the signing of the Framework for the Strategic Defence Partnership. The agreement covers defence manufacturing, advanced technology, innovation, training, maritime security, cyber defence, secure communications, and information exchange.
Several additional agreements were signed during the visit, including an MoU between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Drydocks World Dubai to establish a ship repair cluster at Vadinar under India’s Maritime Development Fund Scheme. A tripartite agreement on maritime skill development was also signed to train and employ skilled workers in shipbuilding and ship repair sectors.
India and the UAE also agreed to establish an 8 Exaflop Super Compute Cluster through a partnership between CDAC India and G42 UAE.
The two leaders welcomed the operationalisation of the Virtual Trade Corridor using MAITRI, a digital framework connecting customs and port authorities of both countries. The initiative is expected to reduce cargo transit time and costs while improving trade efficiency.
Prime Minister Modi thanked President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm welcome and hospitality and invited him to visit India at an early date.
Source: MEA
