In a landmark move to fortify defence ties, India and the United Arab Emirates convened the 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in New Delhi, co-chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the UAE’s Lt General Ibrahim Nasser M. Al Alawi.
For the first time at the Secretary level, discussions spanned joint military training programs, real-time maritime security data exchange, and industrial synergies. India offered customised training modules tailored to the UAE’s strategic requirements.
The nations also explored cutting-edge collaborations in co-developing next-gen technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, and strengthening joint manufacturing of defence equipment. Notably, the successful partnership between India’s ICOMM and the UAE’s CARACAL in small arms production was highlighted as a model.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Indian Coast Guard and the UAE National Guard, covering key domains such as search and rescue, anti-piracy operations, and maritime pollution response.
The UAE delegation is scheduled to meet Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth and participate in the second India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum, reaffirming both nations’ commitment to enhancing strategic alignment.
India’s upcoming participation in the Dubai Air Show in November 2025 further underscores the growing momentum.
