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    India, UAE Seal $3 Billion LNG Agreement, Commit to Deeper Trade and Defence Cooperation

    2 hours ago

    India and the United Arab Emirates have taken a significant step toward strengthening their strategic partnership by finalising a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement valued at around $3 billion. The deal was concluded during high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who paid a brief visit to New Delhi on Monday.

    The LNG agreement forms part of a broader push by both nations to expand cooperation across energy, trade, and defence, reflecting the growing depth of bilateral ties between India and one of its most important partners in West Asia.

    Long-term LNG Supply Agreement

    Under the agreement, Abu Dhabi-based ADNOC Gas will supply approximately 0.5 million metric tonnes of LNG annually to India’s Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for a period of 10 years. The deal is expected to enhance India’s energy security at a time when global fuel markets remain volatile and competition for long-term energy supplies is intensifying.

    With this contract, India has emerged as the UAE’s largest LNG customer. Officials familiar with the development said the agreement also strengthens ADNOC Gas’s long-term market position in South Asia, a region seen as critical for future energy demand growth.

    The UAE energy major indicated that the latest contract increases the overall value of its agreements with Indian entities to more than $20 billion, underlining the scale of cooperation between the two sides in the hydrocarbons sector.

    Ambitious Trade Targets Set

    Beyond energy, the two leaders agreed on an ambitious roadmap to expand bilateral trade. India and the UAE have set a target to double two-way trade to $200 billion within the next six years. The UAE is currently India’s third-largest trading partner, with strong linkages in sectors such as energy, gems and jewellery, infrastructure, logistics, and financial services.

    Senior officials noted that both countries see considerable untapped potential in areas such as digital trade, renewable energy, food security, and advanced manufacturing. The renewed commitment at the leadership level is expected to accelerate implementation of existing trade agreements and encourage new private-sector investments.

    Defence Cooperation Gains Momentum

    A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a letter of intent aimed at developing a strategic defence partnership between India and the UAE. While details of the proposed cooperation were not made public, officials indicated that it could include collaboration in defence manufacturing, training, technology exchange, and maritime security.

    India’s Foreign Secretary stated that closer defence ties with the UAE should be viewed as part of India’s broader engagement with the Gulf region and not as an indication of involvement in regional conflicts. He emphasised that India’s defence partnerships are guided by mutual interests, stability, and respect for sovereignty.

    The UAE President was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included senior ministers responsible for defence and foreign affairs, highlighting the importance Abu Dhabi attaches to its relationship with New Delhi.

    Regional Context and Strategic Balancing

    The announcement comes amid shifting geopolitical alignments in West Asia, where countries are recalibrating partnerships in response to evolving security and economic challenges. Analysts note that India has been steadily deepening ties with Gulf nations, balancing its energy needs with broader strategic interests.

    While recent defence-related developments involving other regional players have drawn attention, Indian officials reiterated that New Delhi’s engagement with the UAE is focused on long-term cooperation rather than short-term strategic signalling.

    Brief Visit, Long-term Impact

    Despite the UAE President’s visit lasting just a few hours, officials described the talks as substantive and forward-looking. The leaders reviewed progress across multiple areas of cooperation and agreed to maintain regular high-level contact to ensure timely implementation of agreed initiatives.

    Observers say the combination of a major energy deal, clear trade expansion targets, and a move toward structured defence cooperation signals a new phase in India–UAE relations. With both economies seeking resilience amid global uncertainty, the partnership is increasingly seen as mutually beneficial and strategically significant.

    As India works to secure reliable energy supplies and expand its global partnerships, and the UAE looks to diversify its economic and strategic footprint, the outcomes of this meeting are likely to shape bilateral relations for years to come.

     
     
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