Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a high-level meeting on Tuesday with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates, at South Block in New Delhi. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral military cooperation and expanding engagement across key defence domains.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the current momentum in defence ties, particularly through established institutional mechanisms, regular military exercises, and training exchange programmes. They identified several new avenues for collaboration, including defence industrial partnerships, skills development, joint training, and technology transfer.
According to a statement from the Government of Dubai Media Office, both sides also discussed launching joint defence projects aimed at enhancing capabilities in line with their shared strategic vision.
Geopolitical developments and global security challenges also featured prominently in the talks. Both Ministers emphasised the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving conflicts and highlighted the role of international cooperation in fostering regional stability and long-term development.
The Indian Defence Ministry noted that the two leaders acknowledged the need to elevate defence cooperation to match the rapid progress seen in trade and economic relations, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Training exchanges were identified as a key pillar of cooperation, with both sides stressing the value of mutual understanding of each other’s defence ecosystems in strengthening ties.
In a significant step forward, the two leaders committed to deepening Coast Guard-to-Coast Guard collaboration and agreed to formalise the engagement through a dedicated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). They also reiterated the importance of defence industrial collaboration, with an emphasis on co-production, joint ventures, and participation in each other’s defence expos and exhibitions.
Both sides expressed strong support for the India-UAE Defence Partnership Forum and underscored the synergies between India’s ‘Make in India’ and the UAE’s ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiatives.
Following the meeting, Rajnath Singh posted on X: “Our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE is of immense priority for India. 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.”
Had a productive meeting with the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy PM and Minister of Defence of UAE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in New Delhi. For India, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE is of immense priority.
In the coming years, we are… pic.twitter.com/cYEcckyaZ8
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 8, 2025
India and the UAE signed a Defence Cooperation MoU in 2003, followed by a Defence Industry Cooperation MoU in 2017. The two nations share deep-rooted historical ties anchored in cultural affinity and robust economic engagement.
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