India has signed a $3 billion agreement with the United Arab Emirates to purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG), making India the UAE’s largest LNG customer. The deal was inked during a brief two-hour visit to New Delhi by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss trade and defence cooperation.
Under the agreement, Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC Gas will supply 0.5 million metric tons of LNG annually to India’s Hindustan Petroleum Corp for the next ten years. ADNOC noted that contracts with India now total over $20 billion, with the country playing a key role in its LNG strategy.
The visit also focused on strengthening bilateral ties, with Modi and Sheikh Mohammed pledging to double trade between India and the UAE to $200 billion over six years. Both countries signed a letter of intent to explore a strategic defence partnership, though Indian officials stressed that this will not draw India into regional conflicts.
The UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner, and the visit signals growing energy and security collaboration. Analysts note the timing is significant, as regional rivalries intensify in the Middle East, with Pakistan engaging in defence agreements with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, while India deepens ties with the UAE.
