India and UAE Deepen Defence Collaboration at 13th Joint Committee Meeting
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reaffirmed their intention to strengthen their bilateral defence ties during the 13th India-UAE Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting, which for the first time took place at the Secretary level in New Delhi. The meeting was jointly led by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and UAE’s Under Secretary of Defense, Lt General Ibrahim Nasser M. Al Alawi, who heads a high-level defence delegation on a two-day visit to India.
The two nations agreed to enhance military training cooperation, with India proposing to offer customised training programmes tailored to the specific requirements of the UAE. Increased emphasis was also placed on maritime security cooperation, including information sharing and coordinated efforts in the Indian Ocean Region.
The discussions covered a wide range of collaborative areas, including the joint manufacturing of defence equipment, similar to the existing ICOMM–CARACAL small arms partnership. The agenda also included cooperation in developing emerging defence technologies, particularly in Artificial Intelligence, as well as joint efforts in shipbuilding, refits, upgrades, and maintenance of common platforms.
A significant outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Coast Guard and the UAE National Guard to enhance collaboration in search and rescue operations, anti-piracy measures, pollution response, and other maritime security areas.
Prior to the JDCC meeting, the two countries conducted the 4th Army-to-Army, 9th Navy-to-Navy, and the first Air-to-Air Staff Talks, which concentrated on expanding military exercises, training collaborations, and Subject Matter Expert exchanges.
The UAE delegation is scheduled to meet Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth on July 31 and participate in the 2nd India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum. This event will be co-inaugurated by the UAE’s Under Secretary and India’s Secretary (Defence Production), Sanjeev Kumar.
The deepening defence cooperation between India and the UAE is rooted 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 anticipated to further enhance defence relations and industrial collaborations.
