New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid an official visit to Abu Dhabi, where he was received at the airport by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and accorded a ceremonial welcome.
The two leaders held detailed discussions covering the full range of bilateral ties, according to an official statement. Modi reaffirmed India’s strong condemnation of attacks on the UAE and expressed solidarity with the leadership and people of the country.
He also reiterated India’s position in favour of safe transit passage and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting its importance for regional peace, stability, energy security, and food security.
Both sides reviewed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and noted progress across sectors, including energy, trade, investment, defence, security, fintech, infrastructure, education, culture, and people-to-people ties. They also welcomed the continued success of the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which has contributed to growth in bilateral trade.
On energy cooperation, both leaders acknowledged the UAE’s role in India’s energy security through crude oil, LNG, and LPG supplies. They welcomed new initiatives in the sector, including an agreement between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to enhance UAE participation in India’s strategic petroleum reserves up to 30 million barrels and explore joint gas storage facilities in India.
They also welcomed a long-term LPG supply arrangement between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
The two sides welcomed USD 5 billion in investment commitments from UAE entities into India. This includes USD 3 billion by Emirates NBD in RBL Bank, USD 1 billion by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in partnership with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund for infrastructure projects, and USD 1 billion by International Holding Company in Sammaan Capital.
Defence cooperation was further strengthened with the signing of a Framework for Strategic Defence Partnership, covering industrial collaboration, innovation and advanced technology, training, exercises, maritime security, cyber defence, secure communications, and information exchange.
Several additional agreements were concluded during the visit, including a MoU between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Drydocks World Dubai for a ship repair cluster at Vadinar under the Maritime Development Fund Scheme, and a tripartite MoU on maritime skill development involving Cochin Shipyard Limited, Drydocks World Dubai, and the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding. A term sheet was also signed for an 8 exaflop supercomputing cluster between C-DAC and G42.
Both sides also welcomed the operationalisation of the Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory Interface virtual trade corridor, aimed at linking customs and port authorities to streamline cargo movement and reduce costs and transit time.
