In a landmark move aimed at redefining bilateral defence cooperation, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) convened the 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in New Delhi on July 30. For the first time, the meeting was held at the Secretary level, signaling a strategic elevation of their defence engagement.
The session was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and UAE’s Under Secretary of Defense, Lt Gen Ibrahim Nasser M. Al Alawi. Their discussions laid out a future-ready roadmap for collaboration across military training, joint manufacturing, maritime security, and frontier technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Strategic Shift in Dialogue and Defence Training
India offered tailored training programmes for UAE armed forces, aligning with the Emirati military’s specific tactical and operational needs. This move underscores a shift towards personalised, skill-oriented defence cooperation between the two nations.
A key highlight was the commitment to real-time maritime information sharing, aimed at enhancing joint maritime domain awareness to tackle piracy, illicit trafficking, and regional sea-lane security.
Boost to Joint Defence Manufacturing & AI Collaboration
The talks also focused heavily on boosting co-development and joint production in defence technologies. The existing ICOMM-CARACAL collaboration on small arms was cited as a successful model for future defence industrial ventures.
Emerging tech, particularly AI, was spotlighted as a core pillar of future cooperation. Both sides explored opportunities in shipbuilding, maintenance, and technological upgrades for platforms used by both militaries.
Key MoU on Maritime Security Signed
A significant outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Coast Guard and the UAE’s National Guard, institutionalising cooperation in search and rescue (SAR), anti-piracy operations, marine pollution response, and maritime surveillance.
Expanding Military-to-Military Engagement
The JDCC was preceded by intensive bilateral engagements including the 4th Army-to-Army Staff Talks, 9th Navy-to-Navy Dialogue, and the inaugural Air-to-Air Staff Talks between India and UAE from July 28–29. These discussions aim to deepen joint exercises, training exchanges, and Subject Matter Expert (SME) interactions.
Industry Forum to Enhance Defence Synergy
The UAE delegation is also set to meet India’s Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth today, followed by the 2nd India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum, co-chaired by Lt Gen Al Alawi and India’s Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar. The forum is expected to accelerate co-production, technology transfer, and industrial collaboration.
Strategic Outlook: Building a Future-Ready Partnership
Rooted in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership launched during Prime Minister Modi’s 2015 visit to the UAE, the India-UAE defence relationship is now entering a phase of deeper operational integration. With India set to participate in the Dubai Air Show in November 2025, the partnership is poised to scale unprecedented heights.
From sea to cyberspace, India and the UAE are crafting a robust, AI-driven, and secure future together.
