In a significant move to enhance military collaboration, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral defence ties during the recently held 13th meeting of the India-UAE Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) in New Delhi. This meeting marked the first instance where discussions were conducted at the Secretary level, co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and UAE’s Under Secretary of Defense Lt General Ibrahim Nasser M. Al Alawi, who led a high-level defence delegation on a two-day visit to India.
A primary focus of the talks was the scaling up of military training cooperation. India reiterated its willingness to provide customised training programmes specifically designed to meet the requirements of the UAE. Additionally, both nations underlined the importance of enhancing maritime security cooperation. This includes vital aspects such as information sharing and coordinated initiatives aimed at ensuring safety and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
The discussions also extended to broader areas of collaboration, notably the joint manufacturing of defence equipment. Participants explored models akin to the existing ICOMM–CARACAL small arms partnership, as well as prospects for co-developing emerging defence technologies—especially in the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence. Furthermore, joint efforts were considered in shipbuilding, refits, upgrades, and maintenance of shared platforms.
A key outcome of this pivotal meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Coast Guard and the UAE National Guard. This agreement is set to bolster cooperation in various critical areas, including search and rescue operations, anti-piracy measures, pollution response, and other maritime security initiatives.
The days leading up to the JDCC also saw productive dialogues through the 4th Army-to-Army, 9th Navy-to-Navy, and inaugural Air-to-Air Staff Talks. These discussions aimed at broadening military exercises, enhancing training collaborations, and facilitating exchanges among Subject Matter Experts.
The UAE delegation is scheduled to meet Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth on July 31 and will take part in the 2nd India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum, which will be co-inaugurated by the UAE’s Under Secretary and India’s Secretary (Defence Production), Sanjeev Kumar.
The growing defence engagement between India and the UAE is primarily anchored in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to the UAE in 2015. India’s forthcoming participation in the Dubai Air Show in November 2025 is anticipated to further amplify defence ties and industrial partnerships between the two nations.
