The Evolving India-UAE Defense Partnership: Shaping A New Strategic Horizon – Analysis

The Desert Cyclone joint military exercise, which took place in January of this year, marked a significant milestone that underscored the strengthening defense ties between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The bilateral relationship has undergone a substantial transition from primarily economic cooperation to a comprehensive alliance, as evidenced by this exercise, defense agreements, and deals on advanced weapons.

Building on this momentum, the 12th meeting of the UAE-India Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC), which took place in Abu Dhabi earlier last week, represented yet another significant turning point. Senior defense officials from both countries led the high-level discussion, which reaffirmed their shared commitment to fortifying bilateral ties and advancing defense and security cooperation.

India and the United Arab Emirates have a long history of close ties based on trade, culture, and common geopolitical interests. Some of the main factors driving the expansion of India-UAE security cooperation are the high volume of trade and commerce, prevalent threat perceptions like terrorism and piracy, and the ongoing regional instability in West Asia since 2011. But in recent years, their alliance has made defense cooperation a top priority. Initiatives for maritime security, defense technology agreements, and frequent military exchanges all demonstrate this. India and the UAE are redefining their partnership and moving toward a new strategic frontier by tackling new threats, preserving peace, and promoting regional security.

Collectively, these events highlight the expanding breadth and importance of India-UAE defense ties, establishing their partnership as a pillar of stability in a changing geopolitical environment..

Geopolitical and Geo-Strategic Convergences

The emerging collaboration between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emphasizes a strategic alignment influenced by geopolitical and geo-strategic considerations. This relationship is firmly rooted in shared interests and is further influenced by extensive regional and global dynamics, rendering it a noteworthy example in the field of modern international relations.

1. Regional Influence and Maritime Security

India’s partnership with the UAE is largely driven by its growing regional influence, especially in the Indian Ocean region. For peace in the area, India’s positioning in the Indian Ocean as a major naval power is crucial. The UAE understands that it must align with India to ensure the safety of this vital waterway, which is vital for the flow of energy and commerce around the world. Their dedication to maintaining the regional power balance is demonstrated by their increased defense cooperation, which includes joint naval exercises and intelligence sharing, as a result of their shared objective.

2. Strategic Partnerships and Multilateral Platforms

The interplay between India and other regional powers, including Japan, has significantly influenced its relations with the UAE. The recognition by Japan of India’s significant position in the Indo-Pacific region has led to enhanced security collaboration between India and Japan. The interplay of factors has shaped the UAE’s choice to enhance its strategic partnership with India, utilizing India’s multilateral initiatives to further its regional objectives.

The emphasis on multilateral frameworks such as I2U2, which includes India, Israel, the US, and the UAE, illustrates the effectiveness of these platforms in promoting both bilateral and regional advantages. The initiatives under I2U2, including projects focused on food security and renewable energy, serve as a clear demonstration of the effective results produced through multilateral cooperation. The platform indicates the interest of the UAE and Israel in normalizing relations, with India contributing supportively.

3. Multilateral Diplomacy and Geopolitical Synergies

The UAE has endorsed India’s pursuit of a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), highlighting their diplomatic alignment on a global scale. In forums of geopolitical significance such as BRICS, both nations have engaged in cooperation on matters of shared interest.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a significant initiative that underscores the strategic alignment among the involved regions. IMEC presents India with an opportunity to effectively connect its “Act East” and “Look West” strategies, facilitating a linkage between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The corridor holds strategic importance for India’s goals of establishing alternative pathways to Europe for Eastern Mediterranean gas, as well as offering Southeast Asian countries a viable option to access the Atlantic Ocean, independent of China.

4. Economic and Energy Security Dimensions

The economic and energy aspects of the India-UAE partnership have been pivotal in influencing their geopolitical alignment. The UAE’s role as an important energy provider and investor in India’s infrastructure aligns with India’s requirement for reliable energy sources. Collaborative initiatives under IMEC seek to enhance energy connectivity and trade, thereby reinforcing their interdependence.

5. Strategic Normalization and Policy Synergy

India’s evolving policies, including the “Act East Policy” and “Look West Policy,” have enhanced its engagements across regions, effectively connecting strategic gaps between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The UAE’s involvement in these initiatives indicates a calculated approach to diversifying its alliances and enhancing regional stability, which is in line with India’s overarching strategic objectives.

The alignment of geopolitical and geo-strategic interests between India and the UAE illustrates the flexibility and complexity of their defence partnership. This relationship, grounded in common priorities such as maritime security, multilateralism, economic integration, and energy security, has developed into a fundamental element of regional stability and global connectivity. The partnership effectively tackles both current security and economic issues while simultaneously establishing a foundation for a more integrated and multipolar global order.

The Evolution of India-UAE Defense Partnership

The defense cooperation between India and the UAE has its roots in the extensive diplomatic relations that were established after the formation of the UAE in 1971. Initially centered on economic and cultural interactions, the collaboration in defense began to emerge in the 1990s, highlighting the importance of counterterrorism and maritime security in the Gulf region. A noteworthy development transpired during Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to India in 2003, which catalyzed dialogues regarding the augmentation of defense cooperation.

In 2006, the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) was established as a crucial platform for the enhancement of bilateral defense relations. The JDCC has subsequently enabled annual defense dialogues and has been instrumental in organizing defense cooperation. This visit commenced a series of regular exchanges and established a foundation for more profound defense connections. Since 2014, India has engaged with the UAE on a range of counter-terrorism matters. On 4 March 2018, a noteworthy collaboration between the Indian Coast Guard and Emirati special forces culminated in a successful operation. This initiative was requested by Emirati Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and received the endorsement of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at intercepting a yacht transporting Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum. In December 2020, Indian authorities, in collaboration with the UAE, successfully thwarted a terrorist attack in Delhi that was backed by the Pakistani ISI. The apprehended individuals identified as terrorists included two members affiliated with Khalistani and three associated with Hizbul Mujahideen.

The relationship experienced significant evolution following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Abu Dhabi in 2015. This visit highlighted the significance of defense as a pivotal element of the bilateral alliance and culminated in a thorough agreement centered on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and maritime security. Following agreements, notably the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022, broadened collaboration to encompass cyber security, joint exercises, and the production of defense equipment.

The progression of defense relations between India and the UAE is characterized by collaborative military exercises. The bilateral air force exercise Desert Eagle II illustrated operational capabilities in aerial combat, whereas the naval exercise Zayed Talwar (2023) highlighted improved maritime coordination. Furthermore, joint initiatives aimed at safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz—a vital conduit for international oil supplies—underscore the profound strategic dimensions of their alliance.

The intricacies of geopolitical dynamics have significantly propelled this collaboration forward. The escalating instability in West Asia, coupled with the persistent threat of terrorism and maritime piracy in the Gulf and Indian Oceans, has fostered a convergence of mutual interests. India aspires to enhance its strategic influence in the Gulf region, whereas the UAE endeavors to broaden its security collaborations beyond conventional Western alliances. The alignment of these shared objectives has significantly enhanced defense cooperation, establishing it as a foundational element of their developing bilateral relationship.

Through sustained high-level dialogues, collaborative initiatives, and the establishment of frameworks such as the JDCC, India and the UAE have systematically enhanced their defense partnership, tackling regional security challenges and promoting shared strategic interests. This collaboration signifies an essential aspect of their thorough and progressive partnership.

Key Areas of Defense Collaboration Between India and The UAE

The joint military exercises that highlight the valuable collaboration between India’s and the United Arab Emirates’ armed forces are an essential component of the defense cooperation between the two countries. Desert Eagle I (2008), Desert Eagle II (2016), and Desert Knight (2024) are examples of advanced air combat joint exercises that demonstrated how both nations prioritized improving their operational coordination in high-pressure situations. Each of these exercises was conducted in 2008. The naval exercise Zayed Talwar (2023), which focused on integrated operations such as search and rescue missions and electronic warfare drills, further strengthened their maritime collaboration. Zayed Talwar was held in 2023. These exercises are being conducted with the intention of ensuring that readiness is maintained for actual challenges, particularly with regard to the protection of the strategic waters of the Gulf State. 

Additionally, manufacturing and the acquisition of defense supplies have emerged as significantly important aspects of collaboration. Bombs, grenades, torpedoes, missiles, and other types of weapons and ammunition are among the items that India exports. Additionally, both nations are exploring the possibility of forming joint ventures in the defense manufacturing sector. These ventures would make use of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) technological and financial hubs, as well as India’s indigenous capabilities. As a consequence of this, both nations are currently engaged in discussions regarding the possibility of working together on the development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) through the Edge Group and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is possible that these partnerships will make it possible to collaborate on the development of drones, sophisticated surveillance systems, and other essential items of defense technology.

Considering the fact that South and West Asia are both confronted with the same danger posed by extremism, counterterrorism initiatives are of the utmost importance to both countries. Examples of collaborative measures include activities such as monitoring online radicalization channels and exchanging intelligence in order to disrupt networks that finance terrorist organizations. Furthermore, maritime security stands out as a shared strategic concern because of the significance of the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Hormuz for the international trade of energy. In order to combat maritime terrorism, smuggling, and piracy, India and the United Arab Emirates have formed a partnership to conduct coordinated patrols and to share information concerning these issues. By placing such a strong emphasis on the establishment of a secure maritime environment, both countries have demonstrated how essential they are to the maintenance of economic stability on both the regional and international levels.

Strategic Implications for Regional Stability and Balance of Power

The burgeoning defense alliance between India and the UAE significantly enhances stability in the Gulf and South Asia. In regions such as Yemen and the Strait of Hormuz, their collaboration in the Gulf bolsters the area’s ability to address emerging threats such as terrorism, piracy, and geopolitical instability. India and the UAE enhance their role as a stabilizing force in West Asia and advance regional security through collaborative patrols, intelligence sharing, and capacity building. Their counterterrorism efforts in South Asia concentrate on terrorist networks, disrupting operations and funding sources that threaten regional stability. 

India’s expanding strategic alliance with the UAE is vital to its overarching Middle East strategy. India counters China’s growing influence in the region, particularly Beijing’s extensive economic and strategic endeavors via the Belt and Road Initiative, by reinforcing relations with a significant Gulf state. This partnership illustrates India’s ambition to cultivate robust relationships with Gulf allies by establishing a balance of power that safeguards its geopolitical interests and promotes a more stable, multipolar regional order. 

Challenges and Opportunities for The Partnership

The defense cooperation between the UAE and India is still developing, but it still faces many obstacles. India sees China, with whom the UAE has close ties, as a strategic concern because of regional rivalries and border disputes. Similarly, the UAE’s long-standing military and economic ties with Pakistan could lead to conflict given India’s tense relations with Islamabad. Navigating these interactions requires diplomatic flexibility to make sure that common defense objectives do not clash with more general geopolitical alignments. Furthermore, the complex and often unstable geopolitics of the Middle East, such as the conflicts between Iran and the Gulf states, may limit the scope of India-UAE cooperation in some areas, particularly those where neutrality is crucial to India’s larger regional strategy. 

Despite these challenges, there are plenty of opportunities. India’s Make in India campaign offers a basis for increasing defense production with the United Arab Emirates. Possible collaborations in unmanned systems, naval platforms, and missile technologies could reduce reliance on traditional suppliers and boost defense exports. Furthermore, the UAE serves as a gateway for India’s strategic outreach in the Gulf and offers a chance for increased interaction with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. Through platforms like I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA), there are also chances to improve international cooperation, particularly in areas like security, technology, and economic projects. By addressing these problems and taking advantage of opportunities, India and the UAE can forge a solid and well-rounded partnership that fosters stability both locally and globally. 

With the strengthening of defense ties, it can be argued that India and the UAE have entered a new stage of their bilateral relationship, progressing from traditional economic cooperation to a full strategic partnership. Cooperative counterterrorism operations, advanced defense manufacturing, joint military drills, and joint maritime security projects all serve as examples of the importance of this collaboration. By resolving shared security concerns and leveraging each other’s advantages, both nations are enhancing their global influence and fostering regional stability.

In the future, other nations hoping to resolve shared problems in a cooperative and balanced way may find inspiration in India and the UAE’s defense cooperation. As they continue to handle obstacles and seize opportunities, their collaboration can help create a more secure Gulf and South Asia. In addition to strengthening bilateral relations, this expanding collaboration supports the larger objective of creating a stable, multipolar global order. 

About the authors:

• Mr. Nitish Kumar Ahlawat is a PhD Scholar in the Department of South and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India. 
• Dr. Sandeep Singh is an Assistant Professor, Department of South and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India.
• Ms. Jeevanjot Kaur is a PhD Scholar in the Department of South and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India.