Defence, Gas Supply, Strategic Oil Reserves Pacts: PM Modi’s Short UAE Visit Brings Big Returns
By R Anil Kumar
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India and the UAE have signed an agreement on strategic oil reserves to strengthen energy cooperation.
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The agreements were exchanged in the presence of PM Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Abu Dhabi, May 15, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brief visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday, May 15, delivered major strategic and economic gains for India, with the two countries signing agreements on defence cooperation, energy security and maritime infrastructure, alongside the announcement of $5 billion in UAE investments in Indian infrastructure and financial institutions.
The agreements were exchanged in the presence of PM Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during PM Modi’s stop in Abu Dhabi, the opening leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour.
At the centre of the visit was a new framework agreement on a Strategic Defence Partnership, signalling a deeper expansion of military and security ties between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi amid growing regional uncertainty.
In the energy sector, India and the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding on Strategic Petroleum Reserves and concluded an agreement for the supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), reinforcing India’s long-term energy security and supply diversification plans.
The two sides also inked an MoU for the development of a ship repair cluster at Vadinar in Gujarat, a move expected to strengthen maritime infrastructure, logistics and industrial cooperation between the countries.
In a significant economic push, the UAE announced investments worth $5 billion in Indian infrastructure projects as well as investments in RBL Bank and Samman Capital, reflecting continued investor confidence in India’s growth story.
During talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Modi stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing tensions in West Asia and reiterated India’s support for peace and stability in the region.
“The impact of conflict in West Asia is being felt globally. India has always emphasised dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward,” Modi said.
He also underlined the strategic importance of ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains free and open, while calling for adherence to international law and stability in global trade routes.
PM Modi praised the UAE leadership for its handling of regional challenges and thanked the country for its support to the Indian diaspora, saying the Indian community in the UAE had been treated “like family.”
Reaffirming India’s solidarity with Abu Dhabi, PM Modi said India “stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the UAE in every situation” and would continue extending all possible support for restoring peace and stability in the regioPM Modi reaches UAE, marks the beginning of five-nation visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in the UAE on Friday, marking the beginning of a five-nation visit that will also include the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.
Modi landed in Abu Dhabi in the afternoon, where he was welcomed by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He received a guard of honour after arriva.l
PM Modi receives guard of honour in UAE
Prime Minister Narendra Modi being accorded a guard of honour, as he lands in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on the first leg of his 5-nation visit.
During his stay in Abu Dhabi, Modi keld talks with the president, with discussions set to focus on the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the rapidly evolving situation in West Asia.
Energy security was the central theme of the discussions, as India monitors rising instability in the Gulf region amid concerns over oil supplies and maritime trade routes.
F-16 fighter aircraft escorts PM Modi’s plane in UAE airspace
A formation of F-16 fighter aircraft escorted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plane after it entered the United Arab Emirates (UAE) airspace on Friday,May 15.
PM Modi told UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during their meeting, “The way your air force escorted me today is an honour for the people of India. For quite some time, we had been speaking over the phone, but I was eager to meet you personally. I am very happy to meet you today.”
The state-run WAM agency reported that the squadron leader had “requested permission to escort the aircraft to the airport in a gesture of welcome.”
PM Modi calls UAE his ‘second home’, thanks President Sheikh Mohamed for warm welcome
In his delegation-level talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, PM Narendra Modi says, “I express heartfelt gratitude to you for the warm welcome. Just like you said – I have come to my second home. This sentiment is a huge capital of my life. Your Air Force jets escorted me today. This is an honour to the people of India.”
PM Modi says India-UAE friendship ‘incredibly strong’ during Abu Dhabi visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the strong ties between India and the UAE during his visit to Abu Dhabi. In a post on X, he said both countries would continue working together to build “a better future for our planet.”
Why timing of Modi’s UAE visit is crucial
PM Modi’s visit to the UAE comes at a critical time as just a few back days, he urged the entire nation to switch to work-from-home in order to save fuel. He also asked people going to the office to wither take public transport or carpool to work for more energy efficiency.
The UAE visit marks the start of PM Modi’s five-nation tour from May 15 to 20, aimed at expanding India’s engagement with key Gulf and European partners in areas including trade, energy, technology, innovation and green growth.
Following Abu Dhabi, PM Modi will travel to the Netherlands for talks focused on semiconductors, green hydrogen, defence cooperation and water management.
He is also scheduled to visit Sweden and Norway, where discussions are expected to centre on artificial intelligence, green transition, emerging technologies and resilient supply chains, besides participation in the third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo.
