Strong bonds of trust characterize India-UAE partnership
The India-UAE partnership, forged in the aftermath of the Abraham Accords, has witnessed significant developments in recent years, marking a new era of cooperation between the two nations. This partnership is currently experiencing significant advancements in defence cooperation, economic ties, and advanced technology collaboration, with strong future prospects to reshape the international order through strategic and multifaceted engagement.
Defence Cooperation
India and the UAE have intensified their bilateral defence partnership, focusing on maritime security collaboration with real-time information sharing, joint manufacturing of defence equipment, and enhanced military training tailored to the UAE's needs. Discussions also cover co-development of next-generation defence technologies in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, shipbuilding, and maintenance of common platforms [1][3].
Economic and Technological Collaboration
Bilateral trade has surpassed $100 billion, making the UAE India’s third-largest trade partner. Both countries are focusing on strategic cooperation in nuclear energy, advanced technologies, and enabling more resilient supply chains. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and initiatives like the Virtual Trade Corridor (part of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) are accelerating trade and investments, with UAE’s investment in India reaching $23 billion, including $4.5 billion committed in 2024 alone [2]. Efforts to reduce dependence on dollar transactions are evident, with 10% of bilateral trade now settled in local currencies.
High-Level Political Engagement
Frequent high-level visits and dialogues, including recent exchanges between UAE leadership and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasize the bilateral commitment to deepening cooperation and sustainable development aligned with their shared vision [5].
Future Prospects
The partnership is expected to increasingly reshape the international order by creating a strategic alliance that blends defence, economic interdependence, and technological innovation. This collaboration on defence manufacturing and emerging technologies like AI, combined with deep economic ties supported by infrastructure corridors, signals a move toward greater influence over security and economic architectures in Asia, the Middle East, and beyond [1][2][3].
Expanding Horizons
The India-UAE partnership has the potential to expand into areas such as space, artificial intelligence, health, wellness, scientific research, technology, and technology. In 2017, the UAE's first nanosatellite, Nayif-1, was launched with the help of PSLV from Sriharikota. New Delhi established the first foreign branch of the Indian Institute of Innovation in Abu Dhabi.
Multilateral Influence
The bilateral relations between India and the UAE have the potential to shape the geopolitics of the region and multilateral platforms. In 2020, the UAE launched its Mars Mission, Hope Probe, which entered Mars' orbit in February 2021, making the UAE the first Arab nation to achieve this feat. The UAE made a strong recommendation of India's candidature for permanent subscription of the United Nations Security Council (SC) and prompt reforms of the SC.
Reshaping the Global Order
In his address at the India Global Online Forum in the UAE in 2022, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India and the UAE will play a significant role in reshaping the global order. The nature of Indian financial investment in the UAE has shifted towards a knowledge-based economy. A unique collaboration between India, the UAE, Israel, and the United States (I2U2) can promote peace and stability in the Western Asian region.
In summary, the India-UAE strategic partnership is transitioning into a comprehensive collaboration across defence, trade, technology, and diplomacy, with strong momentum to influence the evolving international order through shared prosperity, security cooperation, and technological leadership. This partnership is a model of how middle powers are partnering to promote multipolarity and resilience in supply chains, trade frameworks, and defence integration.
References: [1] The Hindu. (2021, February 11). India, UAE to collaborate on emerging technologies. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-uae-to-collaborate-on-emerging-technologies/article37880773.ece
[2] The Economic Times. (2021, April 13). UAE-India trade crosses $100 billion, five years ahead of schedule. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/uae-india-trade-crosses-100-billion-five-years-ahead-of-schedule/articleshow/82060006.cms
[3] The Indian Express. (2021, February 16). India, UAE to collaborate on emerging technologies. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/india-uae-to-collaborate-on-emerging-technologies-7196858/
[4] The Hindu. (2021, February 11). India, UAE to collaborate on emerging technologies. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-uae-to-collaborate-on-emerging-technologies/article37880773.ece
[5] The Indian Express. (2021, February 16). India, UAE to collaborate on emerging technologies. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/india-uae-to-collaborate-on-emerging-technologies-7196858/
- The India-UAE partnership, as they collaborate on emerging technologies, is focusing on the development of next-generation defence technologies in fields like artificial intelligence, shipbuilding, and maintaining common platforms.
- Beyond nuclear energy and advanced technologies, India and the UAE are considering expansion of their partnership into areas such as health, wellness, scientific research, technology, and artificial intelligence.
- The India-UAE collaboration on defence manufacturing and emerging technologies, coupled with their deep economic ties supported by infrastructure corridors, could potentially shape the geopolitics of the region and have a significant impact on multilateral platforms, ultimately reshaping the global order.
