How India Moved Strategically With UAE Against Pakistan-Saudi Defence Pact: Explained | World News

The ultra-short visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) to New Delhi on 19 January 2026 stood out for its compressed timeline and high symbolic value, and underlined the deepening strategic alignment between India and the UAE amid changing regional dynamics in West Asia.

According to the official schedule and some media reports, Sheikh Mohammed landed in New Delhi around 16:20 IST, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received him at the airport; It was a rare gesture that emphasized the personal closeness between the two leaders. The two leaders held bilateral talks a short time later at the Prime Minister’s residence 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, around 4.45 pm. The UAE President departed at around 6:05pm, resulting in a total of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes from landing to take-off.

This was not a routine state visit but a deliberate, high-impact stopover; because heads of state rarely undertake flights across the Arabian Sea for such limited periods unless they act out of urgency, confidence or the need to convey a clear message. In his social media posts, Prime Minister Modi called Sheikh Mohammed his “brother” and emphasized that the visit reflected the “special friendship” between nations.

India-UAE signed various agreements and agreements

The agreement produced 12 key outcomes, including a Letter of Intent to establish a Strategic Defense Partnership Framework and a commitment to double bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032.

The Strategic Defense Partnership Framework will facilitate cooperation in the areas of defense production, advanced technologies, cyber security, counter-terrorism, military training and operational interoperability between the two armed forces.

Additionally, in the space sector, India’s IN-SPACe and the UAE Space Agency signed a Letter of Intent for joint infrastructure, including launch complexes, satellite manufacturing, missions and training centres. The energy security agreements include a 10-year LNG supply agreement between Hindustan Petroleum and ADNOC Gas for 0.5 million tonnes per annum from 2028.

It was decided to cooperate in advanced nuclear technologies, including large reactors and Small Modular Reactors. As bilateral trade reaches $100 billion, the UAE will invest in Gujarat’s Dholera region, developing airports, ports, urban districts, railway and aviation training.

Meanwhile, India is constantly working with the UAE to strengthen its defense and technology partnership. The move is seen as a careful strategy by New Delhi to balance Pakistan’s growing military ties and uneasy alliance in West Asia. Notably, India has deepened defense and security cooperation with the UAE in response to the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) signed in September 2025.

What is SMDA?

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Riyadh in September 2025 to a full royal welcome, accompanied by Saudi F-15 jets and a red carpet.

The Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) is a formal bilateral defense and security agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The agreement between both countries was signed on September 17, 2025. High-level officials from both countries also attended the signing at Al-Yamamah Palace. Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, and Pakistan, the Muslim world’s only nuclear power, have strengthened decades-old ties dating back almost eight decades.

The agreement states that any attack on either country will be considered an attack on both, establishing a commitment to mutual defense (often contrasted with NATO’s Article 5 collective defense provision). It also aimed to enhance joint deterrence capabilities, expand military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and formalize long-standing security cooperation into a structured alliance.

India moves strategically with UAE against Pakistan-Saudi defense deal

SMDA could potentially embolden Pakistan or complicate India’s Gulf diplomacy amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. Therefore, India needs a strategic and reliable partner in the Middle East. The India-UAE decision to pursue a formal Strategic Defense Partnership includes plans for a Framework Agreement focusing on joint weapons development, counter-terrorism, maritime and cyber security, defense industry cooperation, advanced technologies and special forces training.

Analysts see this move by India-UAE as a calibrated response to the Pakistan-Saudi pact (and emerging alignments such as Türkiye’s potential accession) and strengthens India’s position in the Gulf. It builds on existing close ties, including joint exercises, common memberships (e.g. I2U2, BRICS) and massive economic links. India and the UAE have set a bilateral trade target of $200 billion by 2032, eclipsing Pakistan-Saudi economic targets.

Why does UAE want India?

The UAE is turning to India as a strategic partner amid regional uncertainty caused by the weakening of Iran and its rivalry with Saudi Arabia for influence in Yemen and beyond. Facing potential isolation due to Saudi Arabia’s new partnerships with Türkiye and Pakistan, the UAE seeks a strong and reliable ally that will ensure security, economic stability and deterrence. India offers defense capabilities, a large market, energy and food supplies, and a significant diaspora, making it an ideal “safe haven”. The partnership sends a clear signal to regional players that the UAE has strong support; India, on the other hand, supports the UAE without angering Saudi Arabia; This reflects careful diplomatic balancing and strategic signals.

In general, in an environment of increasing uncertainty in West Asia, both countries trust each other. Their approach is guided by mutual interests rather than personal interests. Just as India needs the UAE, the UAE also values ​​India. Therefore, strengthening and deepening ties is a win-win for both countries.