PM Modi Begins Six-Day Foreign Tour, UAE Visit Focuses On Energy Security
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Abu Dhabi, Delhi
- May 15, 2026
- 261
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commenced a six-day international tour, beginning with a visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he will hold bilateral discussions with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that both leaders are expected to deliberate on expanding the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Their talks will cover issues related to energy collaboration, regional developments and important global matters, including the present unrest in West Asia.
According to media reports, India and the UAE may finalise two significant agreements concerning LPG supplies and Strategic Petroleum Reserves during the visit.
The visit is largely aimed at reinforcing India’s energy requirements and ensuring long-term fuel security. Discussions are also likely to include increasing the supply of LPG and LNG from the UAE to India.
The development comes shortly after the UAE announced its decision to withdraw from OPEC, the global oil producers’ group. The UAE has also declared plans to enhance crude oil production capacity to five million barrels per day by 2027. This is expected to pave the way for fresh long-term energy partnerships between Indian and Emirati companies.
Former Indian envoy Sanjay Sudhir told ANI that the Prime Minister’s UAE visit holds special importance considering the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. He added that the trip also reflects India’s diplomatic support for the UAE.
The External Affairs Ministry further noted that the visit is expected to deepen trade and investment relations between the two countries. India and the UAE already share close strategic ties, and the latest visit is intended to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Earlier this year, President Al Nahyan paid a short visit to India on January 19. Prime Minister Modi personally received him at Delhi’s Palam Airport, breaking standard diplomatic protocol. During the visit, both countries signed nine major agreements related to trade, defence and other sectors.
The UAE currently stands as India’s third-largest trading partner and the biggest among Gulf nations. Bilateral trade between the two countries is estimated at more than ₹6 lakh crore annually.
India continues to face a trade deficit with the UAE, as imports from the Gulf nation exceed exports.
During the 2022-23 financial year, India imported goods worth nearly ₹4 lakh crore from the UAE. At the same time, India exported petroleum products, gemstones and jewellery, metals, minerals, agricultural products, tea, seafood, textiles, engineering goods and chemicals to the UAE market.