UAE And India Strengthen Defence Ties At 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Meeting

On July 30, 2025, at a significant meeting held in New Delhi, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) took a decisive step towards deepening their defence ties. This 13th meeting of the India-UAE Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) was notable for being convened at the Secretary level for the first time, marking a heightened level of engagement between the two countries.

Lt General Ibrahim Nasser M. Al Alawi, the Under Secretary of Defense for the UAE, and Rajesh Kumar Singh, India's Defence Secretary, who led a high-level defence delegation, jointly presided over the session. Their discussions underscored a mutual intent to enhance defence collaboration in line with the rapid growth in trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.

Image Courtesy: PIB.gov.in

The deliberations between India and the UAE were comprehensive, covering a wide array of cooperative ventures. Both nations consented to bolster military training, with India proposing custom-tailored training modules to suit the UAE's specific requirements.

This initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening military proficiency through collaborative efforts. Additionally, maritime security emerged as a key area of focus, with an agreement to share critical information, showcasing a united front in safeguarding regional maritime interests.

Building on the momentum of their bilateral ties, the two countries explored several new avenues for defence cooperation. The discussions spanned a range of topics, including training cooperation, defence industrial partnerships, and Service-to-Service engagements. A significant outcome was the agreement to pursue joint manufacturing ventures, exemplified by the collaboration between ICOMM of India and CARACAL of the UAE in small arms production.

Furthermore, the conversations touched upon the potential for co-developing next-generation defence technologies, particularly in emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence. The scope of cooperation also extended to shipbuilding, highlighting opportunities for joint refits, upgrades, and maintenance of common platforms.

In a move to formalise their commitment to enhanced maritime security cooperation, the Indian Coast Guard and the UAE National Guard signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement paves the way for increased collaboration in crucial areas such as search and rescue operations, pollution response, anti-piracy efforts, and other related maritime security domains. This development signifies a mutual recognition of the importance of safeguarding sea lanes and ensuring maritime safety, which is vital for the economic and strategic interests of both nations.

Prior to the JDCC meeting, India and the UAE engaged in a series of military talks aimed at fostering closer ties between their armed forces. From July 28-29, 2025, the 4th Army-to-Army, 9th Navy-to-Navy, and inaugural Air-to-Air Staff Talks were held, focusing on enhancing military exercises, training, and the exchange of expertise. These discussions underscore the comprehensive nature of the defence relationship between the two countries, covering all branches of the military.

The visit of the UAE delegation to India includes a scheduled meeting with Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth on July 31, 2025. Additionally, the delegation will participate in the 2nd India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum. This event, co-inaugurated by the UAE Under Secretary and India's Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, signifies the importance of defence industrial collaboration in the strategic partnership between the two nations.

The defence relationship between India and the UAE has grown significantly since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2015, during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's landmark visit to the UAE. The forthcoming participation of India in the Dubai Air Show in November 2025 is anticipated to further solidify this burgeoning alliance, showcasing the dynamic and evolving nature of India-UAE defence cooperation.