India and the United Arab Emirates strengthened their strategic cooperation on Friday by signing several defense and energy agreements during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Abu Dhabi. This initiative comes amid heightened regional tensions related to the Iran nuclear deal and disruptions in global energy markets.
According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the two countries have concluded a strategic partnership framework in the field of defense. The agreements provide for deepening military-industrial cooperation, as well as strengthening exchanges in advanced technologies, cybersecurity, maritime security, secure communications, and intelligence sharing.
India and the United Arab Emirates have also signed agreements concerning strategic oil reserves and liquefied petroleum gas supplies. New Delhi has been seeking for several years to secure its long-term energy needs in order to reduce its vulnerability to geopolitical crises and global price fluctuations.
Prior to Narendra Modi's visit, Indian sources indicated that the Prime Minister was particularly keen to secure support from the United Arab Emirates to increase India's strategic oil reserves. Abu Dhabi's recent decision to leave OPEC could also allow the UAE to boost its oil production, which would benefit major importers like India.
The war involving Iran has severely destabilized international energy markets in recent months. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted maritime transport and trade throughout the region, while several Iranian strikes targeted Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, before a fragile ceasefire was established last month.
The strategic rapprochement between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi also comes amid a realignment of regional alliances. Growing relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are pushing India to consolidate its partnerships in the Middle East, in security, economic, and energy terms.
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