India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral defence cooperation during the 13th meeting of the India-UAE Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC), held for the first time at the Secretary level in New Delhi. The meeting was 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 is leading a high-level defence delegation on a two-day visit to India.
Both sides agreed to scale up military training cooperation, with India offering to provide customised training programmes tailored to UAE requirements. Emphasis was also placed on enhanced maritime security cooperation, including information sharing and coordinated efforts in the Indian Ocean Region.
Discussions explored broader areas of collaboration such as joint manufacturing of defence equipment, including a model similar to the existing ICOMM–CARACAL small arms partnership. Cooperation in co-developing emerging defence technologies—particularly in Artificial Intelligence—and joint efforts in shipbuilding, refits, upgrades, and maintenance of common platforms were also on the agenda.
A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Coast Guard and the UAE National Guard to strengthen cooperation in search and rescue operations, anti-piracy measures, pollution response, and other maritime security domains.
In the days leading up to the JDCC, the two nations held the 4th Army-to-Army, 9th Navy-to-Navy, and inaugural Air-to-Air Staff Talks, focusing on expanding military exercises, training collaborations, and Subject Matter Expert exchanges.
The UAE delegation will meet Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth on July 31 and participate in the 2nd India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum, which will be co-inaugurated by UAE’s Under Secretary and India’s Secretary (Defence Production), Sanjeev Kumar.
India and UAE’s growing defence engagement is anchored in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE in 2015. India’s upcoming participation in the Dubai Air Show in November 2025 is expected to further boost defence ties and industrial partnerships.
