Modi’s UAE visit delivers defence pact, energy deals and $5bn investment boost, setting tone for wider five-nation tour across Europe and the Gulf region, reports Asian Lite News Desk
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United Arab Emirates has resulted in a series of agreements spanning defence, energy, infrastructure and banking, alongside a major $5 billion investment commitment into India.
During the visit, India and the UAE signed an Agreement on Framework for a Strategic Defence Partnership, marking a further step in deepening security cooperation between the two countries. The deal is expected to strengthen military collaboration and reinforce broader strategic ties at a time of shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Energy security emerged as another key pillar of the discussions. Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Petroleum Reserves, alongside an agreement on supplies of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). These measures are aimed at bolstering India’s long-term energy resilience while expanding bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbons sector.
In the maritime domain, the two countries also agreed to establish a ship repair cluster at Vadinar, signalling growing collaboration in port infrastructure and logistics.
A major highlight of the visit was the announcement of investments worth $5 billion across Indian infrastructure as well as financial institutions including RBL Bank and Samman Capital. The investment push is seen as a significant boost to India’s economic ambitions and its efforts to attract foreign capital into key growth sectors.
Prime Minister Modi held delegation-level talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, where he was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour upon arrival. His aircraft was also escorted by UAE F-16 jets as it entered the country’s airspace, underlining the importance of the visit.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit would further strengthen trade and investment linkages between the two nations. The UAE remains India’s third-largest trading partner and a major source of investment, while also hosting a large Indian diaspora of more than 4.5 million people.
Officials indicated that discussions between the two leaders focused on a wide range of areas including trade, energy, technology and people-to-people ties. Energy security, in particular, was highlighted as a central theme in the bilateral engagement.
The visit to Abu Dhabi marks the first leg of the Prime Minister’s five-nation tour from May 15 to 20, which will also take him to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. The broader tour is aimed at strengthening India’s strategic partnerships across Europe and the Gulf region, with a focus on trade, innovation, green growth and emerging technologies.
Following his UAE visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to travel to the Netherlands for talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, as well as meetings with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. The discussions are expected to centre on semiconductors, green hydrogen, defence and water management.
In Sweden, he will hold talks with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and jointly address the European Round Table for Industry alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Talks are expected to focus on artificial intelligence, supply chains and the green transition.
The Prime Minister will then travel to Norway to participate in the third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo, where he will engage with leaders from across the Nordic region on economic and strategic cooperation.
