Archive · 18 Sep 2026
India, UAE Leaders Seek Deeper Energy, Defence, Investment Ties
India’s prime minister and the UAE’s president spoke by telephone about strengthening cooperation.
They discussed energy, defence, technology, investment and healthcare.
The UAE supplies important energy products to India, including oil and natural gas.
The countries are also working together on defence technology, training and security.
UAE companies and investment institutions have put large amounts of money into India.
A trade agreement signed in 2022 helped increase trade between the two countries.
Their trade reached $101.2 billion in 2025-26.
The leaders also talked about working together to support peace and stability in West Asia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed expanding their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Energy, defence, technology, investment and health were identified as key areas for deeper cooperation.
India and the UAE are expanding collaboration on crude oil, natural gas, strategic petroleum reserves and LNG supplies.
UAE investments in India reached nearly $22 billion between April 2000 and September 2024.
Bilateral trade rose from $72.87 billion in 2021-22 to $101.2 billion in 2025-26, while the leaders also discussed West Asian stability.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
- What
- They discussed measures to deepen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- When
- During a telephone conversation on Friday; the article also references trade figures for 2025-26 and an LNG arrangement agreed in 2026.
- Where
- The conversation was held by telephone between India and the United Arab Emirates.
- Why
- To expand cooperation in energy, defence, technology, investment, health and regional stability.
- Key cooperation areas
- Energy, defence, technology, investment and health
- UAE investment in India
- Nearly $22 billion between April 2000 and September 2024
- Bilateral trade
- Rose from $72.87 billion in 2021-22 to $101.2 billion in 2025-26
- India's 2025-26 imports from UAE
- $63.8 billion, including $15.1 billion in crude oil and $8.3 billion in petroleum products
- LNG arrangement
- Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited agreed to purchase 0.5 million tonnes per annum of LNG from ADNOC Gas for 10 years beginning in 2028
- Economic agreement
- The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was signed in February 2022 and implemented in May 2022
- Defence cooperation
- The proposed framework covers defence industry, innovation, advanced technologies, training, cybersecurity and maritime security