India, UAE officials hold meet to advance defence coop under strategic partnership

NEW DELHI: India and Untied Arab Emirates on Wednesday held a meeting to advance the progress of defence cooperation under the strategic defence partnership framework at a meeting in New Delhi, the defence ministry said. Co-chaired by joint secretary (international cooperation) Amitabh Prasad and UAE Brigadier Staff Jamal Ebrahim Mohamed Ebrahim Almar-Zooqi, the discussions focused on expanding defence industry collaboration, fostering innovation, leveraging niche technologies and enhancing maritime security, the ministry said in a post on X.The UAE had witnessed scores of attacks on its vital installations during the West Asia conflict.

To deter such attacks and be prepared for any conflict in the region, the UAE is eyeing several made-in-India weapons, including ground-based air defense weapon system Akashteer and BrahMos cruise missiles. On Jan 19 this year, During the visit of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE president and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, India and the UAE had signed a letter of intent for finalising the strategic defence partnership (SDP) framework to strengthen the defence partnership.