NEW DELHI: Two important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the areas of LPG and Strategic Petroleum Reserves are likely to be concluded during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stopover in the UAE on Friday, on his way to Europe, official sources have confirmed. The government stated that energy security will be a key focus area of Modi’s three-hour stopover in the country.
Energy Partnership with UAE
The UAE is a key energy supplier for India, being its fourth largest source of crude oil and the second largest source of LNG and LPG. Modi will depart for a five-nation tour, including visits to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy, on Friday.
Bilateral Discussions
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Modi will meet UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss bilateral ties, energy cooperation, and regional issues. India and the UAE share a comprehensive strategic partnership, and over 4.5 million Indians reside in the UAE, the ministry added. Modi is also expected to reiterate his condemnation of attacks on the UAE during his visit, expressing solidarity with the president.
MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George stated: “We have an agenda covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations with the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and other Nordic partners. In the UAE, the visit follows developments around OPEC pipelines. With the Netherlands, semiconductors are a key area of cooperation, and discussions will include Advanced Semiconductor and IMEC-related topics.”
These discussions underscore India's commitment to strengthening energy security and fostering deeper ties with key global partners. The proposed MoUs on LPG and Strategic Petroleum Reserves are expected to enhance India's energy resilience and strategic storage capabilities, aligning with the broader goal of ensuring stable and affordable energy supplies for the nation's growing economy.
India and the UAE have historically maintained robust economic and diplomatic relations, with energy cooperation being a cornerstone. The visit is anticipated to further solidify this partnership, opening new avenues for collaboration in energy, trade, and investment.
