India, UAE Commit to Strengthening Defence Ties During High-Level Meeting in New Delhi

New Delhi: In a significant move to deepen strategic cooperation, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh met with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at South Block on Tuesday. The two leaders reviewed ongoing defence collaborations and charted a course for enhanced engagement in military and industrial domains.

Expressing satisfaction over the current level of defence cooperation—including regular military exercises, training exchanges, and institutional mechanisms—the ministers underscored the need to elevate defence ties to match the rapid progress made in trade and investment sectors. Both sides reiterated their shared commitment to fulfilling the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for a stronger, more dynamic bilateral partnership.

The leaders identified defence training exchanges as a key area for deepening mutual understanding and operational synergy. They also highlighted the growing cooperation between the Coast Guards of both nations, agreeing to formalise it further through a dedicated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Discussions also focused on enhancing collaboration in defence manufacturing. Both ministers agreed on the potential for joint ventures, co-production projects, and increased participation in defence expos and industry forums. They welcomed the India-UAE Defence Partnership Forum as a platform to foster innovation and strategic partnerships under the respective ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make in Emirates’ initiatives.

In a post on X following the meeting, Rajnath Singh affirmed the strategic importance of ties with the UAE, stating, “In the coming years, we are eager to work closely in areas such as defence cooperation, co-production and co-development projects, innovation and technology. Both India and the UAE are committed to work towards peace and prosperity in the region.”

India and the UAE have maintained a strong and evolving defence relationship, with foundational agreements signed in 2003 and 2017 covering military cooperation and defence industry collaboration. The latest meeting marks a renewed push to transform that framework into tangible partnerships, reinforcing their comprehensive strategic partnership for regional stability and shared prosperity.