India-UAE deepen push toward strategic defence partnership

India-UAE are steadily strengthening their partnership and moving toward deeper strategic defence cooperation. The UAE is not only a close ally of India but also one of its top five energy suppliers. This growing alignment comes at a time when geopolitical tensions in West Asia are rising. As a result, both countries are focusing more on long-term security and economic stability.

Notably, a day after a major political development in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned Iran’s missile and drone attacks on Fujairah Port. He also expressed clear solidarity with the UAE and highlighted the need for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This response underlined India’s strategic concerns in the region. At the same time, it reinforced its commitment to protecting global energy routes.

India-UAE Security & Strategic Alignment

Meanwhile, the UAE has faced serious security challenges due to tensions involving Iran and the United States. Reports suggest that hundreds of missiles and drones have targeted the UAE in recent times. This is largely due to the presence of US airbases and its growing ties with Israel. As a result, the country remains on high alert.

Importantly, the attack on Fujairah Port was seen as a calculated move by Iran. The port, along with Khor Fakkan, lies outside the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman. Therefore, both ports are critical for global energy supply. Furthermore, with the UAE stepping away from the Saudi-led OPEC framework, their importance has increased. This also helps reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz as a choke point.

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Defence & Economic Ties

In addition, India and the UAE are working toward a formal Strategic Defence Partnership Agreement. This follows the signing of a Letter of Intent during a recent high-level visit. Both sides aim to finalize the agreement within six months. The focus will be on defence production, innovation, cybersecurity, and counter-terrorism cooperation.

At the same time, economic ties between the two nations continue to grow stronger. The UAE recently chose not to roll over Pakistan’s debt, showing a shift in priorities. Moreover, Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit Abu Dhabi soon, which could boost bilateral ties further. Trade initiatives like the Mundra-Fujairah-Aqaba corridor are also gaining attention. Overall, India seeks energy security, while the UAE looks for food security, making this partnership mutually beneficial.

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