India and UAE have signed a pact to establish a framework for strategic defence partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Abu Dhabi on Friday, seeking cooperation across several domains such as for industrial collaboration, innovation, advanced technology, maritime security, cyber defence and secure communications.
The agreements were inked following Prime Minister Modi holding talks with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with both the countries looking to firm up partnership for a broader stronger security architecture in view of West Asia crisis. The armed forces of the two countries have been engaging in regular exercises, holding defence dialogues. Besides that UAE’s EDGE Group and India’s Adani Defence & Aerospace had earlier formed a global defence platform to jointly manufacture Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and advanced counter-drone systems.
ship repair
An MoU was also inked between Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) and Drydocks World (DDW) for setting up Ship Repair Cluster at Vadinar in Dwarka district of Gujarat, said the Ministry of External Affairs. Ahead of Modi’s UAE tour, the Union Cabinet on May 5 gave nod to the ₹1,570-crore ship repair facility in Vadinar, to be developed jointly by Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and CSL.
The cooperation for setting up a Ship Repair Cluster at Vadinar, including offshore fabrication, is under the Maritime Development Fund Scheme launched by the Government of India, the MEA said.
Another MoU between CSL, DDW and Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS) is for skill development in ship repair. The tripartite agreement establishes a framework to mobilise, train and employ skilled maritime workforce, said the Ministry. The MoU seeks to enhance capabilities of Indian maritime workforce and position India as a hub for skilled shipbuilding and ship repair professionals, it added.
Published on May 15, 2026