India UAE Oil and Investment Partnership Expands During Modi Visit

India and the UAE have moved to strengthen their partnership with a series of high level agreements aimed at boosting cooperation in energy, investment, defence and emerging technologies. The discussions took place during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meetings with UAE leadership in Abu Dhabi.

One of the most significant developments from the visit was the decision to expand crude oil storage cooperation. Under the new understanding, the UAE will store millions of barrels of crude oil in India’s strategic reserve facilities, helping India secure emergency energy supplies during periods of global uncertainty.

Officials involved in the talks said the agreement will further improve storage infrastructure at key locations such as Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Chandikhol. The move is expected to strengthen India’s preparedness against possible disruptions in international fuel supply chains.

Energy cooperation between the two countries also widened beyond crude oil. Indian Oil Corporation and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company signed an agreement focused on ensuring reliable LPG supplies for the Indian market over the long term. Both nations additionally discussed future collaboration on strategic gas reserves.

The UAE is also planning larger investments in India across multiple sectors including infrastructure, banking and financial services. Sources familiar with the negotiations said discussions involved projects worth billions of dollars, reflecting growing economic confidence between the two countries.

Defence and maritime cooperation featured prominently during the bilateral discussions. India and the UAE signed a new framework to enhance defence ties and explored opportunities linked to ship maintenance and repair facilities in Gujarat’s coastal region.

Technology partnerships were another key highlight of the visit. Companies from both countries finalised agreements related to artificial intelligence, advanced computing systems and digital infrastructure projects. Officials believe these collaborations could accelerate innovation and strengthen future technology capabilities.

During the talks, Prime Minister Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also reviewed the security situation in West Asia. Both leaders emphasised the need to safeguard major global trade routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, which remains vital for international energy movement.

Prime Minister Modi also conveyed India’s support for the UAE after recent regional attacks and reiterated the importance of strong cooperation between trusted strategic partners.