New Delhi— In a significant move to bolster bilateral relations, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with the Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at South Block, New Delhi, on April 8, 2025. This meeting underscored the commitment of both nations to enhance their defence cooperation, reflecting the priorities set by their respective leaderships.
Renewed Push to Deepen Strategic Defence Cooperation
During their discussions, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the current state of defence collaboration, which includes institutional mechanisms, joint military exercises, and training program exchanges. They emphasized the need to elevate defence ties to parallel the advancements achieved in trade and business sectors, aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Had a productive meeting with the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy PM and Minister of Defence of UAE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in New Delhi. For India, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE is of immense priority.
In the coming years, we are… pic.twitter.com/cYEcckyaZ8
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 8, 2025
Focus on Training Exchanges to Strengthen Defence Ties
A key focus of the meeting was the enhancement of training exchanges. Both ministers agreed that such initiatives would foster a deeper understanding of each other’s defence ecosystems, thereby accelerating the strengthening of bilateral defence relations. Additionally, they acknowledged the active cooperation between their respective Coast Guards and committed to formalizing this collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Joint Ventures and Defence Manufacturing in the Spotlight
The dialogue also highlighted the importance of defence industry collaboration. Both parties emphasized the potential for strategic joint ventures and co-production projects that would benefit both countries. They agreed to focus on complementarities between India’s ‘Make-in-India’ and UAE’s ‘Make-in-Emirates’ initiatives, aiming to foster innovation and technological advancement in defence manufacturing.
Rajnath Singh Reaffirms India’s Commitment via Social Media
Following the meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to social media platform X to express India’s prioritization of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE. He stated, “In the coming years, we are eager to work closely in areas such as defence cooperation, co-production and co-development projects, innovation and technology. Both India and the UAE are committed to work towards peace and prosperity in the region.”
Building on a Strong Foundation of Historical Ties
This meeting builds upon the foundation laid by previous agreements, including the Defence Cooperation MoU signed in 2003 and the Defence Industry Cooperation MoU in 2017. The longstanding cultural and economic ties between India and the UAE continue to serve as a robust framework for their evolving partnership.
Sheikh Hamdan’s Visit Marks New Chapter in Bilateral Relations
Sheikh Hamdan’s visit to India, which commenced on April 8, 2025, marks his first official trip to the country as the Crown Prince of Dubai. Accompanied by a delegation of ministers, senior officials, and business leaders, his itinerary includes meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, aimed at further solidifying the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE.
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