India , UAE agree to deepen defence ties

In this image via Defence Ministry on April 8, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of UAE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during a meeting, in New Delhi
| Photo Credit: PTI

NEW DELHI

India and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday (April 8, 2025) agreed that “close cooperation between the defence industries” should be an “integral part” of the bilateral cooperation, the government said in a press note after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum here.

The visiting Crown Prince of the UAE also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

“The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the active Coast Guard to Coast Guard cooperation and committed to further deepen it by formalising the same through an MoU. They were convinced that close collaboration between the defence industries should be an integral part of the bilateral cooperation,” the press note announced after the meeting between Mr. Singh and the visiting Crown Prince.

Mr. Singh said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE was of “immense priority” for India adding, “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.”

The Crown Prince, who is also a patron of the arts in the UAE, said, “Our conversations reaffirmed the strength of UAE-India ties which is built on trust, shaped by history, and driven by a shared vision to create a future full of opportunity, innovation, and lasting prosperity.”

Mr. Modi acknowledged the role that Dubai has played in the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. “This special visit reaffirms our deep-rooted friendship and paves the way for even stronger collaboration in the future,” he said.