India signs pacts on defence, petroleum
DUBAI: India condemns attacks on the United Arab Emirates during the Iran war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his talks with the UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday and an Indian government official said the two countries have signed pacts on strategic defence cooperation, petroleum reserves and supply of liquefied petroleum gas.
The UAE will invest $5 billion in Indian infrastructure and RBL Bank and Samman Capital, it was also announced.
The way UAE has been targeted is not acceptable and the way that country has handled the current situation with restraint is praiseworthy, Modi was quoted by PTI as telling the UAE President.
Earlier this month, Modi had condemned – without naming Iran – an attack on the UAE in which three Indians were injured.
The impact of the West Asia conflict is being felt globally and India is ready to extend all possible support to bring peace, the prime minister said on Friday.
Modi landed in the UAE on Friday, marking the beginning of a five-nation visit that will also include the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.
Modi landed in Abu Dhabi in the afternoon, where he was welcomed by the UAE President and received a guard of honour after arrival.
F-16s escort PM plane
A formation of F-16 fighter aircraft from the UAE escorted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plane in a special gesture when it entered the Gulf country’s airspace on Friday.
“The way your air force escorted me today is an honour for the people of India. For quite some time, we had been speaking over the phone, but I was eager to meet you personally. I am very happy to meet you today,” Modi told UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during their meeting.
As the aircraft carrying PM Modi entered the UAE airspace, it was met by a formation of military aircraft, the state-run WAM news agency reported.
“The squadron leader requested permission to escort the aircraft to the airport in a gesture of welcome,” it added.
The visit, though brief, produced significant announcements for India, including a framework agreement on a Strategic Defence Partnership, an MoU on strategic petroleum reserves, an LPG supply agreement, and a ship repair cluster project at Vadinar. The UAE also announced investments worth $5 billion in Indian infrastructure, RBL Bank and Samman Capital.
Speaking during delegation-level talks, PM Modi told the UAE President, “I used to keep speaking to you over the phone, but I was very eager to meet you in person.”
The meetings marked the first leg of PM Modi’s five-nation tour and underscored the growing strategic and economic importance of India-UAE ties at a time when energy security and investment flows remain key priorities for New Delhi.
The agreements were exchanged in the presence of PM Modi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan shortly after the Indian Prime Minister arrived in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE is currently India’s third-largest trading partner and the seventh-largest source of investment into the country over the last 25 years, according to the MEA.
Officials also highlighted the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening bilateral relations. More than 4.5 million Indians live and work in the UAE, making it one of the largest overseas Indian communities globally.
Agencies