India, UAE Seal Energy, Defense Deal

(MENAFN) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened a sweeping five-nation diplomatic offensive Friday with a strategically loaded stopover in the United Arab Emirates, where both governments signed a broad package of energy, defense, and infrastructure agreements — cementing one of Asia's most consequential bilateral partnerships.

After departing Abu Dhabi, Modi is set to continue his tour through the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy.

$5 Billion on the Table
The UAE committed $5 billion in fresh capital to the Indian economy — with $4 billion flowing through Emirati financial institutions directly into Indian banks, and an additional $1 billion pledged by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) to the National Infrastructure & Investment Fund of India (NIIF) for high-priority infrastructure development across the country.

Beyond the financial commitments, the two nations formalized a defense partnership framework, a strategic petroleum reserves accord, and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply agreement, Modi's office confirmed. The energy deal also carves out a pathway for future joint development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and LPG storage facilities within India.

Rounding out the agreements, a memorandum of understanding was signed to construct a ship repair cluster in Vadinar, located in the western state of Gujarat, while both sides also reached an understanding to jointly establish a supercomputer cluster — reflecting the expanding technological dimension of the bilateral relationship.

Modi Condemns UAE Attacks, Invokes Hormuz Security
In a direct address to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Modi offered an unambiguous condemnation of strikes targeting the Emirates within the broader context of the Middle East conflict. "We strongly condemn the attacks on the UAE and denounce the way the UAE has been targeted. This is unacceptable in any form," he said.

Framing India's strategic outlook on the region, Modi stressed New Delhi's commitment to de-escalation: "India has always vouched for dialogue and diplomacy," he said, adding, "our priority is to keep Hormuz free and safe. We have to follow international laws."

He also commended "the restraint and maturity" demonstrated by the UAE amid the ongoing turmoil.

The Strait of Hormuz — the narrow, Iran-controlled maritime corridor linking the Persian Gulf to global shipping lanes — has emerged as a central friction point between Tehran and Washington. A US-enforced naval blockade of the waterway has severely curtailed global energy flows through a passage that once carried roughly one-fifth of the world's crude oil supply before the conflict erupted.

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