Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday unveiled a series of initiatives designed to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates, focusing heavily on energy security, investments, infrastructure, shipping, and advanced technology cooperation.
During their meeting in Abu Dhabi, both leaders welcomed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement signed between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. The agreement will expand the UAE’s participation in India’s strategic petroleum reserves to nearly 30 million barrels while also supporting efforts to establish strategic gas reserves in India. Officials said the partnership would play a major role in enhancing India’s long-term energy security and boosting bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
The leaders also acknowledged a separate long-term agreement between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for the supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas. The arrangement is expected to ensure a steady fuel supply while supporting India’s increasing energy requirements.
One of the key outcomes of the visit was the announcement of nearly $5 million in fresh investments into India by UAE-based institutions and companies. The investment package includes approximately $3 million by Emirates New Development Bank in RBL Bank, around $1 million by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in India’s National Infrastructure and Investment Fund for critical infrastructure projects, and nearly $1 million by International Holding Company in Sammaan Capital.
According to officials, the investments demonstrate the UAE’s long-term confidence in India’s economic growth and reinforce the strong investment partnership shared by the two nations.
The visit also witnessed the signing of several agreements in maritime development and technology. Cochin Shipyard Limited and Drydocks World Dubai signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a ship repair cluster at Vadinar in Gujarat, including offshore fabrication facilities under India’s Maritime Development Fund Scheme.
Another agreement involving Cochin Shipyard Limited, Drydocks World Dubai, and the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding aims to strengthen workforce training and skill development in the ship repair sector. The initiative is expected to enhance India’s maritime workforce capabilities and position the country as a major hub for shipbuilding and repair professionals.
India and the UAE also agreed on a term sheet to establish an 8 Exaflop Super Compute Cluster through a partnership between India’s Centre for Development of Advanced Computing and UAE-based G-42, reflecting growing collaboration in emerging technologies and digital innovation.
