India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to scale up cooperation in defence and Coast Guard operations, as both nations continue to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The decision was made during the visit of Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum to India on Tuesday, marking his first official tour as Crown Prince.
During his visit, Sheikh Hamdan, who also serves as the UAEās Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, held high-level talks with Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, exploring avenues to boost collaboration in trade, technology, connectivity, and defence.
India-UAE Defence Cooperation Gets a Boost
Following his meeting with Sheikh Hamdan, PM Modi shared on social media,
āDubai has played a pivotal role in enhancing the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Sheikh Hamdanās special visit reaffirms our deep-rooted friendship and sets the stage for even greater cooperation.ā
The UAE Crown Prince echoed the sentiment, calling the meeting a reaffirmation of the trust and shared vision between the two nations.
In his discussions with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, both sides agreed to deepen defence cooperation, especially in line with the rapidly advancing economic and trade relations. A key highlight was the decision to formalize Coast Guard collaboration through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Focus on Joint Defence Projects and Industry Collaboration
The leaders identified training exchanges, defence manufacturing, co-development and co-production as key areas to prioritize. According to the Ministry of Defence, this cooperation will allow both nations to better understand each otherās defence ecosystems and develop joint ventures under the Make-in-India and Make-in-Emirates initiatives.
Singh stated on social media:
āOur Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE is a top priority. We are committed to collaborating in defence innovation, co-production projects, and strengthening strategic ties in the years ahead.ā
Both leaders welcomed the role of the India-UAE Defence Partnership Forum, which is expected to drive joint initiatives in military production and supply chains.
Background and Ongoing Engagements
India and the UAE first signed a defence cooperation MoU in 2003, followed by another in 2017 focused on defence industry collaboration. Over the years, the two countries have seen consistent growth in defence interactions, including high-level military exchanges, annual defence dialogues, and naval port calls between their warships.
Trade, Investment & Business Engagements
During Sheikh Hamdanās visit, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met with the Crown Prince and praised the ongoing momentum in India-UAE relations, especially across sectors like business, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.
In Mumbai, the Dubai Chambers hosted the Dubai-India Business Forum, where over 200 business leaders explored new trade and investment opportunities. Trade statistics underline the importance of this bilateral partnership:
- India-UAE non-oil trade reached $54.2 billion in 2023
- Dubai-India trade totaled $45.4 billion in the same year
- Dubaiās investments in India amounted to $4.68 billion
- In 2024, 16,623 Indian companies joined the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, bringing the total to over 70,000 Indian firms in Dubai
Additionally, India was the top contributor to Dubaiās tourism sector in 2024, with 3.14 million South Asian visitors, making the UAE a key destination for Indian travelers.
š®š³š¦šŖ Looking Ahead
Sheikh Hamdanās high-profile visit and the renewed focus on strategic, defence, and economic cooperation are driving India-UAE relations into a new era of mutual growth and innovation.. As both nations align their visions for regional and global leadership, this partnership stands as a cornerstone in West Asia-South Asia diplomacy.
