India and UAE Strengthen Strategic Defence Partnership at 13th JDCC Meeting
- MGMMTeam
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed their deepening defence ties during the 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting, held in New Delhi on July 30–31, 2025. The session marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time the JDCC was convened at the Secretary level in India. The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, while the UAE was represented by Lieutenant General Ibrahim Nasser M. Al Alawi, the Under Secretary of Defence.
The high-level dialogue reflects a growing mutual trust between the two nations, aiming to align defence cooperation with the rapidly advancing economic and diplomatic ties that define the current India-UAE relationship.
Strengthening Military Collaboration and Capacity Building
During the meeting, both sides expressed their satisfaction with the expanding military engagements across the three services—Army, Navy, and Air Force. India pledged to continue offering customized training modules tailored to the UAE Armed Forces, addressing operational and strategic requirements. This includes not only field-level combat training but also advanced education in military doctrine, counter-terrorism, and joint operations planning.
The discussions also focused on improving tactical interoperability through more frequent and complex joint exercises. Both nations acknowledged that such engagements are essential to ensure regional stability, especially in the face of shared threats like terrorism, piracy, and maritime insecurity.
Maritime Cooperation: A New Strategic Frontier
A central highlight of the JDCC was the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Coast Guard and the UAE National Guard. The agreement aims to enhance cooperation in the maritime domain, especially in areas such as anti-piracy operations, marine pollution response, and search-and-rescue missions. Given their strategic locations along key maritime routes, both India and the UAE emphasized the necessity of safeguarding sea lanes in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf.
This MoU is expected to facilitate real-time information sharing and joint operational protocols that would improve maritime domain awareness, a crucial component in tackling non-traditional security threats.
Industrial Cooperation and Defence Manufacturing Synergy
As part of the growing defence partnership, India and the UAE also discussed ways to expand cooperation in the defence industrial sector. One key example cited during the talks was the ongoing collaboration between India’s ICOMM and the UAE’s CARACAL in small arms manufacturing. Both sides indicated their intent to replicate such models across other domains, including shipbuilding, aerospace, and cyberdefence technologies.
The UAE-based defence conglomerate EDGE Group, with a valuation of nearly $5 billion, is currently exploring partnerships with Indian firms such as HAL, Adani, and Megha Engineering. These joint ventures aim to promote co-development, co-production, and technology transfer under the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiatives. The upcoming Dubai Air Show in November 2025 is expected to be another platform for these industrial synergies to take centre stage.
Military-to-Military Talks: Building Operational Trust
Prior to the JDCC meeting, India and the UAE held a series of military-specific dialogues. These included the fourth Army-to-Army, ninth Navy-to-Navy, and the inaugural Air-to-Air staff talks. These engagements helped lay the groundwork for the JDCC’s outcomes, enabling both nations to align their strategic visions and establish practical mechanisms for implementation.
The staff talks also facilitated the exchange of technical expertise and operational practices, ranging from unmanned aerial systems to naval combat drills and joint air defence strategies.
A Strategic Relationship in a Changing World
India and the UAE have gradually transformed their diplomatic relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership over the past two decades. From energy security and trade to diaspora relations and digital economy cooperation, the bond now spans multiple sectors. Defence, however, has emerged as one of the most dynamic areas of growth.
The two countries share a common vision for a rules-based international order and have often supported each other in multilateral forums like the United Nations and IORA. The deepening defence partnership is not just a bilateral achievement but also a reflection of their shared regional ambitions in South Asia, the Gulf, and the Indo-Pacific.
Conclusion: A Blueprint for Regional Security and Cooperation
The 13th JDCC meeting marks a pivotal chapter in India-UAE relations, setting the tone for a future rooted in strategic collaboration, technological innovation, and mutual security. With growing maritime cooperation, enhanced military exercises, and robust defence industrial links, both nations are positioning themselves as central actors in shaping a secure and multipolar Asia.
As geopolitical landscapes shift, India and the UAE are laying the groundwork for a partnership that goes beyond traditional defence ties—one that serves as a blueprint for stability and peace in an increasingly uncertain world.
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