PM Modi Concludes UAE Visit, Departs for Netherlands After Key Deals

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his brief but significant visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday and departed for the Netherlands, the next leg of his multi-nation tour. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally saw off the Prime Minister at the airport, reflecting the deep warmth and strategic closeness between the two countries.

The visit, though short, yielded concrete outcomes in energy, defence, and investment. Officials described it as highly productive, coming at a time when West Asia faces ongoing challenges and global energy markets remain sensitive.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister Modi and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held detailed bilateral discussions covering energy security, trade, investment flows, and the broader situation in West Asia. India and the UAE signed an agreement on the supply of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), along with MoUs on strategic petroleum reserves, defence cooperation, and the development of a ship repair cluster at Vadinar in Gujarat.

Major Investment Announcement

The UAE announced a $5 billion investment commitment in Indian infrastructure, including stakes in RBL Bank and Sammaan Capital. This move is expected to further boost economic linkages between the two nations, which already enjoy a comprehensive strategic partnership.

PM Modi, who arrived in Abu Dhabi earlier, received a ceremonial welcome complete with a guard of honour. In a notable gesture, UAE Air Force F-16 fighter jets escorted the Prime Minister’s aircraft, a visible symbol of the respect extended to India and its leadership.

Regional Concerns and Solidarity

During the talks, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the need for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open and secure, noting that disruptions in West Asia affect global trade and energy flows. He reiterated India’s long-standing position favouring dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law for resolving regional disputes. Modi also expressed solidarity with the UAE, stating that India stands “shoulder-to-shoulder” with the country in all situations.

The Prime Minister thanked the UAE leadership for its support to the Indian diaspora during difficult times and for condolences extended after a recent natural disaster in India. He described the UAE as feeling like his “second home,” underlining the people-to-people bonds that complement the strong government-level ties.

Local observers and former diplomats noted the timing of the visit as particularly important. Former Indian Ambassador Sanjay Sudhir told ANI that the engagement sends a strong signal of India’s support amid evolving dynamics in West Asia. The UAE’s recent decision to exit OPEC and its plan to ramp up crude oil production to 5 million barrels per day by 2027 are also expected to open new avenues for long-term energy cooperation with Indian firms.

Productive Outcomes

PM Modi later termed the visit “short but highly productive.” Among other exchanges, the UAE President presented a Cerebras chip to the Prime Minister, highlighting growing cooperation in advanced technology sectors as well.

The two sides finalised around seven key outcomes during the visit, spanning defence, energy, and economic domains. These agreements build on years of steadily deepening partnership, with the UAE being one of India’s most important partners in the Gulf region for trade, investment, and energy imports.

As Prime Minister Modi heads to the Netherlands to continue his tour, officials indicated that the momentum gained in the UAE would feed into broader diplomatic and economic engagements ahead. The developments are being closely watched by industry circles in both countries for their potential to create new opportunities in infrastructure, energy security, and strategic collaboration.

For millions of Indians with connections to the Gulf, such high-level visits also reinforce a sense of reassurance about the strong bilateral relationship that directly impacts diaspora welfare and economic opportunities.