Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United Arab Emirates in the midst of a global energy crisis resulting from the West Asian conflict. Modi received a commitment from the UAE to expand the strategic petroleum reserve to 30 million barrels while securing US$5 billion in infrastructure investments by the UAE and signed a strategic defence partnership.

Modi received a warm welcome from the President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, before leaving Abu Dhabi on 16 May to tour four European nations. And, after the most recent Iranian missile and drone strike by Iran on the UAE, Modi criticised the attack, calling it 'unacceptable'. He and the Sheikh promised to work towards the Strait of Hormuz becoming “free, open and safe". 

Modi was received at the airport by the president and accorded a guard of honour. In a special gesture, his aircraft was escorted by Emirati Air Force fighters.

Modi made it a point to thank the Sheikh for taking care of the Indian community in the UAE like “family members”. The UAE President said the two nations share a longstanding strategic and economic partnership and discussed ways to advance cooperation in priority sectors, including energy and technology. 

Energy security was a major focus of the visit. The two countries have concluded a Strategic Collaboration Agreement between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to enhance the UAE's participation in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves to 30 million barrels and work together to set up strategic gas reserves in India. They also welcomed the arrangement entered into between Indian Oil Limited (IOCL) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) on long-term LPG supplies.

In 2025, the UAE was India’s fourth-largest source of crude oil, catering to 11 per cent of Indian demand. The UAE is India’s largest source of LPG, catering to nearly 40 per cent of the requirement. The UAE has been the first country to partner with India in strategic petroleum reserves. In 2018, the ISPRL and ADNOC entered into an agreement for the UAE to store over 5 million barrels of crude oil reserves at ISPRL’s facility in Mangaluru.

Investments by the UAE totalling USD 5 billion will have three major components: Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and National Infrastructure & Investment Fund (NIIF) of India will explore investments up to USD 1 billion in India’s infrastructure sector; Emirates New Development Bank (ENBD) will invest USD 3 billion in RBL Bank of India; and the International Holding Company will invest USD 1 billion in Sammaan Capital of India.