New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI): Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday detailed the outcomes of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, highlighting strategic and economic cooperation across multiple sectors.
Briefing the media in Delhi, Misri said, “The talks between the leaders were characterised by the warmth and special friendship between the two leaders that has become a characteristic of this relationship.”
Reflecting this momentum, a letter of intent was signed to work toward a framework agreement on defense cooperation. “A letter of intent was signed between the two sides to work towards concluding a framework agreement for a strategic defense partnership between India and the UAE,” Misri said.
In addition to defense cooperation, expanded engagement in the space sector was highlighted. “A letter of intent was also signed between the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre and the UAE space agency for a joint initiative for space infrastructure development and its commercialization,” he added. The initiative will include infrastructure and capability-building projects such as new launch complexes, satellite fabrication facilities, joint missions, and space academy and training centers.
Investment collaboration was another key focus area, with a letter of intent signed on UAE participation in Gujarat’s Dholera Special Investment Region. Misri called it “a mega partnership initiative” encompassing the establishment of an international airport, a pilot training school, an MRO facility, a greenfield port, a smart urban township, as well as projects related to railway connectivity and energy infrastructure.
The two sides also agreed to establish a supercomputing cluster in India, reflecting a push toward advanced digital and computing capabilities. To strengthen financial and logistics linkages, UAE’s First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and global port operator DP World will set up offices and operations in GIFT City, Gujarat, to enhance India’s role as a regional financial and trade services hub.
Cooperation in agriculture and exports featured prominently, with a memorandum of understanding signed between the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to address food safety and technical requirements, expected to support market access for Indian agricultural and processed food exports.
The countries also agreed to promote bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and explore the establishment of “digital/data embassies,” reflecting engagement in sensitive and future-oriented sectors. Cultural and youth initiatives were included, with plans to establish a ‘House of India’ in Abu Dhabi to showcase Indian art, heritage, and archaeology, alongside steps to promote youth exchanges.
The outcomes demonstrate an expanding India‑UAE partnership beyond hydrocarbons, with increased focus on investment, trade growth, and cooperation in strategic and high-technology sectors. Sheikh Mohamed’s visit marked his third official trip to India since assuming office as UAE President and his fifth visit to the country in the past decade.
The visit took place amid a volatile regional environment, including a decline in Iran‑US ties, ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen, and political uncertainty in Gaza. India and the UAE have seen a major rise in bilateral trade and people-to-people ties since signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2022.
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