India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering defence cooperation during the 13th India-UAE Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting, held at the Secretary level for the first time in New Delhi on July 30, 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri 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 official visit to India. Both sides agreed to elevate their defence engagement in line with the expanding partnership in trade, investment, and social relations.

The two nations agreed to enhance military training cooperation and discussed respective training needs. India proposed offering customised training programs to suit UAE’s specific requirements. They also committed to strengthening maritime security collaboration through real-time information exchange.

To explore new avenues of defence collaboration, both countries deliberated on training partnerships, defence industrial cooperation, and Service-to-Service exchanges. Discussions also included joint manufacturing prospects, taking inspiration from the ICOMM (India)–CARACAL (UAE) collaboration in small arms production. The potential for co-developing next-generation defence technologies in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence was also on the agenda, along with opportunities in shipbuilding, refits, upgrades, and platform maintenance.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Indian Coast Guard and the UAE National Guard to enhance cooperation in maritime search and rescue, pollution response, anti-piracy operations, and related security efforts.

Ahead of the JDCC, both nations conducted the 4th Army-to-Army, 9th Navy-to-Navy, and inaugural Air-to-Air Staff Talks from July 28–29, 2025. These sessions focused on expanding military exercises, training initiatives, and expert exchanges.

The UAE delegation is also scheduled to meet Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth on July 31, 2025, and participate in the 2nd India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum, co-inaugurated by UAE’s Under Secretary and India’s Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar.

The India-UAE defence partnership continues to grow under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s landmark 2015 visit to the UAE. India’s upcoming participation in the Dubai Air Show in November 2025 is expected to further solidify these ties.