AI, terrorism, and nuclear reactors: Inside PM Modi’s brief meeting with the President of the UAE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging discussions with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a brief but significant two-hour visit to India on Monday. The talks covered cooperation in nuclear energy, Artificial Intelligence, defence, energy security, and counterterrorism.

According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the two leaders — who share an “extremely warm and close relationship” — held discussions at both restricted and delegation levels. Several agreements and Letters of Intent were exchanged in their presence, highlighting the growing depth of the India-UAE partnership.

The UAE delegation included senior leaders from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, notably Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister.

Focus on energy and LNG cooperation

Energy security featured prominently in the talks. Both sides welcomed the signing of a 10-year LNG supply agreement between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and ADNOC Gas. Under the agreement, India will receive 0.5 million tonnes of LNG annually starting in 2028.

The deal strengthens the UAE’s position as one of India’s major LNG suppliers and underscores its role in supporting India’s long-term energy needs amid global uncertainties.

Expansion of nuclear cooperation

Civil nuclear collaboration emerged as a major new area of engagement. India and the UAE agreed to explore joint ventures in advanced nuclear technologies, including large nuclear reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Officials said the discussions follow India’s passage of the SHANTI Bill, which opens new avenues for international nuclear cooperation. Areas of focus include nuclear safety, power plant management, maintenance, and next-generation reactor technologies.

Digital ties, AI, and data infrastructure

Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies were identified as priority sectors. The two countries agreed to explore UAE investments in data centre capacity and the establishment of a supercomputing cluster in India.

The leaders also discussed the concept of “Digital Embassies,” based on mutual recognition of digital sovereignty. Sheikh Mohamed expressed support for India hosting the AI Impact Summit in February 2026.

Defence, terrorism, and security cooperation

Defence ties were strengthened with the signing of a Letter of Intent to pursue a Strategic Defence Partnership. The leaders noted the momentum generated by recent bilateral military exercises and engagements between service chiefs.

Both sides strongly condemned terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and stressed the need to hold perpetrators, financiers, and supporters accountable. They committed to continued cooperation against money laundering and terror financing within the framework of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Trade, MSMEs, and investment

Economic cooperation formed another core pillar of the discussions. Bilateral trade has reached $100 billion in FY 2024–25 following the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2022. The two leaders agreed to target $200 billion in trade by 2032.

The UAE’s participation in the Special Investment Region at Dholera, Gujarat, was reviewed, covering infrastructure such as an international airport, greenfield port, energy facilities, and a smart urban township.

Officials were directed to accelerate initiatives such as Bharat Mart, the Virtual Trade Corridor, and Bharat-Africa Setu to strengthen MSME connectivity across West Asia, Africa, and Eurasia.

Food security, space, and people-to-people ties

India and the UAE agreed to enhance cooperation in space through joint commercialization of space science and technology, including satellite manufacturing and launch capabilities.

Food security and Agriculture were also discussed, with an emphasis on public-private partnerships and sustainable supply chains. A proposed agreement on food safety and technical standards is expected to benefit Indian farmers and strengthen food resilience in the UAE.

People-to-people ties were highlighted, with nearly 4.5 million Indians living in the UAE. The leaders agreed to establish a “House of India” in Abu Dhabi as a cultural and historical centre and to promote greater youth engagement.

Regional and global issues

The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed their support for peace and stability in West Asia. The UAE expressed support for India’s BRICS presidency in 2026, while India backed the UAE-hosted UN Water Conference scheduled for the same year.

Sheikh Mohamed thanked Prime Minister Modi for the warm reception, describing the visit as another milestone in the expanding strategic partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates.