Modi and UAE President discuss strategic partnership

PM Modi, UAE President Discuss West Asia, Strategic Partnership During Phone Call London – In a high‑profile phone conversation on Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed the deepening strategic partnership between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi, focusing on West Asian stability, economic cooperation and energy security. A statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office highlighted the leaders’ “shared commitment to continued coordination in efforts to promote regional peace, security and stability”. The dialogue, which lasted over an hour, is the latest in a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at counterbalancing shifting power dynamics across the Gulf and South‑Asia..

The call opened with a mutual acknowledgement of the complex security environment that now defines West Asia. Both leaders cited the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the fragile ceasefire in Yemen and the volatile situation along the Iran‑Iraq border as issues that demand coordinated responses. Modi stressed India’s “principled stance” on a two‑state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE’s role in facilitating humanitarian aid and rebuilding efforts..

The two leaders agreed that diplomatic engagement, rather than unilateral action, remains the most viable pathway to lasting peace. Energy cooperation formed a cornerstone of the discussion. The UAE, a key supplier of crude oil to India, has increasingly positioned itself as a hub for renewable energy investment..

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted the UAE’s ambitious Net‑Zero 2050 roadmap and invited Indian firms to participate in solar and hydrogen projects across the Emirates. In turn, Modi outlined India’s plans to export green hydrogen and advanced battery technology, signalling a shift from traditional fossil‑fuel trade to a more diversified, low‑carbon partnership. Trade and investment were also on the agenda..

Bilateral commerce between the two nations crossed the US$ 70 billion mark last year, with growth driven by pharmaceuticals, information technology, and defence equipment. Both sides expressed intent to accelerate the signing of several memoranda of understanding, including a joint venture in aerospace manufacturing and a collaborative platform for fintech innovation. The leaders highlighted that such initiatives not only deepen economic ties but also create jobs and foster technological transfer..

Security cooperation received particular emphasis, reflecting the broader regional context. The statement noted that India and the UAE continue “joint exercises and intelligence sharing” to combat terrorism and maritime threats in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman. Modi praised the UAE’s contribution to the Indian‑led anti‑piracy patrols off Somalia, while the UAE President lauded India’s role in supporting the Gulf’s maritime domain awareness network..

Both leaders reiterated their commitment to the Quad framework, viewing it as a mechanism to counter coercive actions in the Indo‑Pacific and beyond. Humanitarian assistance was another key point. The UAE, already a major donor to relief operations in Gaza, pledged to coordinate with India on the distribution of medical supplies and food aid..

Modi announced that India would allocate additional resources to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and to NGOs operating in the region, emphasizing “the moral imperative to protect civilians”. The two leaders agreed to set up a joint task force to monitor aid delivery and ensure that assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations. The conversation also touched on multilateral forums..

Both leaders expressed optimism about the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, where they plan to jointly advocate for a rules‑based international order. The UAE President reiterated support for India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, while Modi promised to back the UAE’s initiatives on climate change and sustainable development at the UN level. This diplomatic choreography underscores a shared desire to shape global governance structures..

In the realm of defence, the two governments signaled progress on existing contracts for missile systems and naval vessels. The UAE’s recent procurement of Indian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, valued at over US$ 2 billion, was described as a “landmark” in defence collaboration. Both sides discussed expanding joint research in unmanned aerial systems and cyber‑security, areas that are increasingly central to modern warfare..

A senior Indian defence official confirmed that a new memorandum on joint production will be signed before the end of the year. Education and cultural exchange featured as softer yet significant aspects of the partnership. The UAE’s Ministry of Education has already opened scholarships for Indian students in fields such as medicine and engineering, while Indian universities are exploring branch campuses in Abu Dhabi..

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted the importance of “people‑to‑people contact” in fostering mutual understanding, and Modi pledged to increase the number of Indian diaspora outreach programmes in the Gulf, which now number over three million. Infrastructure development was also on the docket. The UAE’s sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala, has shown interest in participating in India’s ambitious National Infrastructure Pipeline, especially in renewable energy parks and smart city projects..

Conversely, Indian conglomerates are eyeing opportunities in the UAE’s upcoming “Dubai Metro‑2” expansion and the development of logistics hubs along the Persian Gulf coast. Both leaders agreed that public‑private partnerships could accelerate these projects, creating a “win‑win” scenario for investors and citizens alike. The leaders did not shy away from addressing sensitive geopolitical concerns..

Modi expressed India’s “balanced approach” towards Iran, stressing the importance of keeping the Persian Gulf trade routes open while condemning any activities that destabilise the region. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, for his part, reaffirmed the UAE’s.