UAE President and Indian PM Sign Key Deals in New Delhi
Strengthening Strategic Partnership: Key Agreements on LNG, Defence, Tech and Trade Inked in Capital
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The President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have signed a series of significant agreements in New Delhi aimed at expanding economic, security and technological cooperation between the two nations.
The accords were finalized during Sheikh Mohamed’s official working visit to the Indian capital on Monday, January 19.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on sectors such as energy security, defence collaboration, technology innovation and trade expansion. Both countries have set an ambitious target to double bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032.
A centerpiece of the agreements is a ten-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal, under which the UAE’s ADNOC Gas will provide India with 0.5 million tonnes annually starting in 2028, in a contract valued at roughly $3 billion. The pact positions the UAE as a key energy partner for India.
In addition to energy ties, the two governments witnessed the exchange of a letter of intent to establish a Strategic Defence Partnership framework, signaling future collaboration on defence capabilities, technology transfers and joint exercises.
The visits also saw agreements in space industry cooperation, with a plan for joint initiatives to support commercial and scientific collaboration between the UAE Space Agency and India’s National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre.
Beyond traditional sectors, both sides welcomed enhanced cooperation in civil nuclear technology, encouraged by India’s enactment of the SHANTI law, and agreed to explore partnerships in advanced nuclear reactors, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
During discussions, Sheikh Mohamed expressed support for India hosting the AI Impact Summit in February 2026 and highlighted emerging collaboration in digital infrastructure, including the concept of “digital embassies” and interlinked cross-border payment platforms to streamline trade and financial flows.
The agreements reflect the longstanding and growing relationship between the UAE and India—a partnership that spans energy, economic growth, technology and people-to-people ties, with more than 3.5 million Indians residing in the UAE.
Global markets and policymakers are watching as the two nations reinforce their strategic alignment amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the broader West Asian region.