Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made a strong pitch against the targeting of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), during his high-stakes visit to Abu Dhabi, in a significant show of support. The Prime Minister condemned the recent strikes on Emirati territory as “unacceptable in any form”, as West Asia spirals. During delegation-level talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Modi reiterated India’s steadfast solidarity with the UAE, saying that the safety and sovereignty of the UAE were paramount for regional stability.
The visit, the first leg of a five-nation diplomatic tour, heavily focuses on energy security and strategic defense. With the conflict disrupting global shipping routes and oil supplies, India and the UAE have moved to fortify their partnership through several landmark agreements. Key highlights include a framework for a Strategic Defence Partnership and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding Strategic Petroleum Reserves to cushion the Indian economy from external shocks.
The two leaders also lauded the expansion of the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” beyond security matters. PM Modi described the UAE as his “second home” and thanked the country for the protection of the millions of Indian nationals living there. Discussions also included the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and new fintech collaborations such as interlinking of instant payment platforms. As New Delhi and Abu Dhabi work closely in security and economic terms, they are casting themselves as a stabilizing force in a turbulent geopolitical environment.
