New Delhi/IBNS: India and UAE have signed strategic deals on a number of sectors including energy during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit amid the simmering geopolitical tension centred on West Asia conflict, media reports said.
Besides defence, the two countries signed pacts on strategic petroleum reserves and supply of liquified petroleum gas bolstering the robust bilateral ties.
Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan "appreciated the vibrant and growing bilateral energy partnership, with the UAE maintaining its role as an important partner in India’s energy security, including in terms of crude oil, LNG and LPG supplies."
"The leaders agreed to promote new initiatives for a comprehensive energy partnership. In this context, they welcomed the conclusion of a Strategic Collaboration Agreement between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to enhance UAE’s participation in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves to 30 million barrels, and work together to set up strategic gas reserves in India.
"They also welcomed the arrangement entered into between Indian Oil Limited (IOCL) Company and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) on long-term LPG supplies," an official statement reads.
Modi had planned to discuss the long-term energy supply deals and broaden India's strategic oil reserves during his bilateral visit, Reuters reported, quoting a source ahead of the Prime Minister's visit.
Speaking of his UAE visit, the Prime Minister wrote on X, "Just as this visit to the United Arab Emirates witnessed the signing of pivotal agreements in vital sectors such as energy, defense, infrastructure, shipping, and advanced technologies—thereby providing a fresh boost to the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE—in another significant development, the United Arab Emirates announced investments worth $5 billion in India, which will work to further deepen economic ties."
The UAE's decision to quit the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is expected to ramp up its output benefiting India and other importers.
Announced on Friday, the energy deal will facilitate an increase of ADNOC's crude oil storage in India for up to 30 million barrels.
As a part of India's strategic oil reserve, the deal will increase potential crude storage in the UAE's Fujairah.
The agreements include strategic collaboration with Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited across crude oil, LNG and LPG storage as well as strategic reserves, ADNOC said in a statement.
It also aims at an expansion of LPG supply and trading cooperation with Indian Oil Corporation, supported by ADNOC Global Trading.
The strategic collaborations reinforce ADNOC’s role as a reliable energy supplier to India, supporting energy security and deepening long-term cooperation, it added.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, said: “India’s scale and growth trajectory make it one of the defining energy markets of our time. As demand accelerates alongside a rapidly expanding population, the strength of the UAE–India energy partnership becomes ever more critical.
"These agreements reinforce supply security, deepen our strategic ties, and underscore ADNOC’s role as a dependable and reliable partner in powering India’s long-term economic growth.”
Announced on Friday, the energy deal will facilitate an increase of ADNOC's crude oil storage in India for up to 30 million barrels.
As a part of India's strategic oil reserve, the deal will increase potential crude storage in the UAE's Fujairah.
The agreements include strategic collaboration with Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited across crude oil, LNG and LPG storage as well as strategic reserves, ADNOC said in a statement.
It also aims at an expansion of LPG supply and trading cooperation with Indian Oil Corporation, supported by ADNOC Global Trading.
The strategic collaborations reinforce ADNOC’s role as a reliable energy supplier to India, supporting energy security and deepening long-term cooperation, it added.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, said: “India’s scale and growth trajectory make it one of the defining energy markets of our time. As demand accelerates alongside a rapidly expanding population, the strength of the UAE–India energy partnership becomes ever more critical.
"These agreements reinforce supply security, deepen our strategic ties, and underscore ADNOC’s role as a dependable and reliable partner in powering India’s long-term economic growth.”