Archive · 28 Sep 2026
India Explores UAE for Expanded LPG and LNG Supplies
India wants the United Arab Emirates to become a bigger supplier of LPG and LNG.
These are fuels used by homes, businesses and industries.
The two countries are studying underwater pipelines that could bring gas to India and store it there.
India also wants to build larger reserves of petroleum to prepare for disruptions.
The plan is linked to uncertainty caused by geopolitical tensions and shipping problems.
The UAE may increase its investments in India from about $25 billion to $100 billion.
The countries are also discussing ports, ships, aviation and financial technology.
They are using the Indian rupee and UAE dirham more often for trade.
Officials said trade is improving and Indian exports increased by more than 15% during the stated period.
India is studying whether subsea pipelines could transport and store gas from the UAE.
Piyush Goyal said India wants to expand strategic petroleum reserves with the UAE.
The countries aim to increase UAE investment in India from about $25 billion to $100 billion.
Cooperation is also expanding in maritime industries, civil aviation, fintech, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
India-UAE trade is recovering toward pre-war levels, while Indian merchandise exports rose more than 15% between April and September 21.
- Who
- India, the United Arab Emirates and Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
- What
- The countries are exploring expanded UAE LPG and LNG supplies, subsea gas pipelines and broader investment and trade cooperation.
- When
- The announcement was made on Monday after the 14th meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments.
- Where
- The proposed gas infrastructure would connect the UAE and India through underwater ocean pipelines; broader cooperation concerns both countries.
- Why
- India is seeking greater energy resilience and security while diversifying supplies amid geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions to global shipping routes.
- Potential UAE energy role
- The UAE could become a more important source of LPG and LNG for India.
- Subsea pipeline study
- A study is examining whether underwater pipelines could bring gas into India and store it.
- Strategic petroleum reserves
- India and the UAE are working to expand India’s strategic petroleum reserves.
- Targeted UAE investment
- The two countries aim to raise UAE investment in India from around $25 billion to $100 billion.
- Trade currencies
- Bilateral trade increasingly uses the Indian rupee and UAE dirham, with conversion into dollars when required.
- Maritime cooperation
- Six areas identified include ship ownership, ports, ship manufacturing, ship repair, shipbreaking and container manufacturing.
- Export growth
- India’s merchandise exports rose by more than 15% between April and September 21 from the start of the financial year.