India and the United Arab Emirates on Friday signed a series of agreements across energy, defence, maritime infrastructure and emerging technologies during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Abu Dhabi, with the Gulf nation announcing investments worth $5 billion in India.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties and welcomed the expansion of cooperation across sectors including energy, trade, investment, defence, security, fintech, infrastructure, education and culture. They also underlined the continued success of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has significantly boosted bilateral trade.
During the discussions, the UAE announced investments worth USD 5 billion in India through multiple entities. The investments include USD 3 billion by Emirates New Development Bank (ENDB) in RBL Bank, USD 1 billion by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) alongside the National Infrastructure & Investment Fund (NIIF) in infrastructure projects, and another USD 1 billion by International Holding Company in Sammaan Capital.
The two countries also deepened cooperation in the energy sector. Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed a strategic collaboration agreement to enhance the UAE’s participation in India’s strategic petroleum reserves and explore the creation of strategic gas reserves in the country. Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and ADNOC also finalised a long-term LPG supply arrangement.
In the defence sector, the two countries signed a Framework for Strategic Defence Partnership aimed at deepening industrial collaboration and expanding cooperation in advanced technologies, maritime security, cyber defence, training, secure communications and information exchange.
India and the UAE also expanded maritime cooperation through an MoU between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Drydocks World, Dubai for establishing a ship repair cluster at Vadinar under India’s Maritime Development Fund Scheme. A separate tripartite agreement involving Cochin Shipyard, Drydocks World and the Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS) was signed for skill development in ship repair and shipbuilding.
Further, the two sides announced a partnership between C-DAC and UAE-based G42 to establish an 8 Exaflop Super Compute Cluster to support India’s AI Mission and advanced computing capabilities.
The leaders also welcomed the operationalisation of the Virtual Trade Corridor through the MAITRI digital platform, which links customs and port authorities of both countries to streamline cargo movement and reduce logistics costs and transit time.
Prime Minister Modi thanked UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm hospitality extended during the visit and invited him to visit India at an early date.
