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UAE and India have elevated their strategic partnership with a sweeping set of agreements signed during the visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, signalling a calibrated push to broaden cooperation across defence, energy, space, trade, investment and food safety. The pacts, endorsed alongside Narendra Modi, reflect a shared intent to anchor bilateral ties in long-term economic and security interests while navigating a volatile global environment.

The visit culminated in the exchange of multiple memoranda of understanding that collectively aim to translate political goodwill into operational outcomes. Officials from both sides framed the agreements as an expansion of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, emphasising implementation timelines and institutional coordination rather than aspirational language. At the centre of the package is a defence cooperation framework that strengthens military-to-military engagement, joint exercises, training exchanges and defence industrial collaboration, an area that has gathered momentum as both countries diversify security partnerships.

Energy cooperation featured prominently, with accords spanning hydrocarbons, clean energy and grid resilience. State-linked firms and private players outlined pathways to scale joint investments in upstream oil and gas while accelerating collaboration in renewables, green hydrogen and energy storage. The emphasis on clean energy dovetails with the UAE’s net-zero ambitions and India’s drive to expand non-fossil capacity, positioning both as partners in technology transfer and project financing across third markets.

Space cooperation agreements mark another pillar of the evolving relationship. Space agencies from Abu Dhabi and New Delhi committed to deeper collaboration in satellite development, earth observation, data sharing and human spaceflight training. The arrangements are designed to support applications ranging from climate monitoring and disaster management to urban planning and agriculture, underscoring the commercial and societal dividends of space-based assets.

Trade and investment pacts seek to build on the momentum generated by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which has reshaped tariff structures and supply chains between the two economies. New understandings focus on easing customs procedures, aligning standards and expanding market access for small and medium-sized enterprises. Investment promotion agencies agreed to coordinate sectoral roadmaps in manufacturing, logistics, digital services and infrastructure, with sovereign investors and development funds expected to play a catalytic role.

Food safety and agricultural cooperation agreements address a strategic priority for both governments. Protocols on standards, certification and inspection aim to streamline the movement of agri-food products while safeguarding consumer interests. Joint research initiatives are set to target crop resilience, post-harvest technologies and cold-chain logistics, reflecting lessons from climate stress and supply disruptions that have sharpened the focus on food security.

Diplomatic engagements during the visit also underscored people-to-people ties, education and skills. Universities and research institutions announced partnerships in advanced materials, artificial intelligence and health sciences, while vocational training programmes were aligned to labour market needs in construction, healthcare and digital services. These measures are intended to deepen the talent pipeline that underpins commercial ties.

Officials were careful to situate the agreements within a broader regional and global context. With shipping lanes under strain and commodity markets exposed to geopolitical shocks, both sides highlighted coordination on maritime security and supply chain resilience. The defence and logistics components of the package are expected to reinforce cooperation in the Indian Ocean region, where the UAE’s ports and India’s maritime capabilities intersect.

Economists note that the breadth of the accords reduces concentration risk by spreading cooperation across multiple sectors, while governance mechanisms embedded in the agreements could improve execution. Joint working groups, periodic reviews and dispute-resolution channels were outlined to ensure progress is measurable. Business leaders welcomed the clarity on standards and compliance, arguing that predictability lowers the cost of capital and accelerates project timelines.

Critics caution that delivery will depend on regulatory alignment and the pace of domestic approvals, particularly in capital-intensive sectors such as energy and defence manufacturing. Past initiatives have sometimes faced delays linked to procurement processes and technology transfer rules. Both governments acknowledged these constraints and signalled intent to address bottlenecks through empowered committees.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in New Delhi on a working visit, marking another step in the steady expansion of political, economic and strategic ties between Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. He was received at the Palam Air Base by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, accompanied by senior members of the Union Cabinet and officials from the external affairs establishment, underscoring the importance both sides attach to the engagement.

The visit places renewed focus on deepening UAE–India partnership at a time when bilateral cooperation spans trade, energy security, technology, defence and people-to-people exchanges. Officials said discussions during the visit would review progress under existing agreements while identifying new areas for collaboration aligned with long-term economic and geopolitical priorities.

The UAE and India have built a close relationship over the past decade, anchored by high-level political engagement and sustained institutional cooperation. The elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has provided a framework for collaboration across sectors, with regular leader-level interactions helping to maintain momentum. Sheikh Mohamed and Prime Minister Modi have met frequently on the margins of multilateral forums and through bilateral visits, creating a rapport that has translated into concrete outcomes.

Trade and investment remain central to the agenda. Bilateral non-oil trade has expanded significantly following the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which reduced tariffs, simplified customs procedures and opened services markets. Officials on both sides view the agreement as a catalyst for further growth, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, food security and digital services. The UAE has also emerged as a major investor, with sovereign and private capital flowing into infrastructure, renewable energy, ports and technology ventures.

Energy cooperation continues to be a pillar of the relationship. The UAE is a key supplier of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, while joint investments in strategic petroleum reserves and downstream assets have added depth to the partnership. As both countries pursue energy transition goals, collaboration has widened to include renewables, green hydrogen and climate technology, reflecting shared commitments to sustainability and diversification.

Defence and security cooperation has gained prominence amid evolving regional and global challenges. Regular joint exercises, intelligence exchanges and defence industrial cooperation have strengthened interoperability and trust. Counter-terrorism, maritime security and cyber resilience are areas where officials see scope for closer coordination, particularly given the shared interest in stable sea lanes and secure digital infrastructure.

Technology and innovation feature prominently in the discussions. The UAE’s push to position itself as a hub for advanced technologies aligns with New Delhi’s focus on digital public infrastructure, fintech and start-up ecosystems. Partnerships between research institutions, technology firms and start-ups have expanded, supported by policy initiatives and investment platforms designed to facilitate cross-border collaboration.

The large expatriate community also shapes the relationship. Millions of people from India live and work in the UAE, contributing to its economy and cultural diversity, while remittances and professional exchanges strengthen social and economic links. During past engagements, leaders have highlighted the role of this community as a bridge between the two nations, with initiatives aimed at skills development, worker welfare and cultural exchange.

On the multilateral front, both countries coordinate positions on regional stability, economic governance and climate action. Cooperation within forums such as the G20, where the UAE has participated as a guest under New Delhi’s presidency, has reinforced alignment on development priorities, debt relief for vulnerable economies and sustainable growth.

Officials familiar with the visit said meetings would assess progress on commitments made during earlier engagements and set timelines for new initiatives. Agreements and memoranda of understanding under consideration span sectors including education, healthcare, space cooperation and financial services, reflecting the breadth of the partnership.

ESET MDR delivers industry-leading real-time detection and a mean-time-to-respond (MTTR) of 6 minutes to keep businesses secure

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 January 2026 – ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, today announced the launch of two Managed Detection and Response (MDR) subscription tiers: ESET PROTECT MDR for small and medium businesses (SMBs) and ESET PROTECT MDR Ultimate for enterprises in Singapore.

Bridging the gap with MDR

ESET PROTECT MDR delivers a comprehensive cybersecurity package, offering 24/7/365 superior protection. This includes modern protection for endpoints, email, and cloud applications, vulnerability detection and patching, and managed threat monitoring, hunting, and response. For enterprises, ESET PROTECT MDR Ultimate offers continuous proactive protection and enhanced visibility, coupled with customised threat hunting and remote digital forensic incident response assistance.

ESET’s APAC SMB Cybersecurity Report 2024 revealed that 49% rate lacking a dedicated cybersecurity team and 52% rated keeping up with the latest threats as one of the top three cybersecurity challenges in Singapore. 31% also cited alert fatigue as the biggest challenge. Incidentally, APAC also faces the largest shortage of cybersecurity experts in the world. These highlight the urgent need for skilled cybersecurity professionals and managed services that can help bridge the country’s growing talent gap. ESET’s MDR services ensure organisations of all sizes and cybersecurity maturity to stay one step ahead of all known and emerging threats, effectively closing the cybersecurity talent gap, and facilitating expert consultations for incident management and containment in a fully managed experience.

ESET MDR delivers a remarkable 6-minute Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) — the fastest in the industry*. In comparison, the median time for organizations to detect a breach is 24 days**, leaving critical systems and data exposed for weeks. Every hour that a breach goes undetected dramatically increases the risk of data loss, operational disruption, and financial damage.

“Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and more time-critical, especially in highly connected digital economies like Singapore,” said Pamela Ong, Country Manager of Asia and Singapore at ESET. “Our AI-powered MDR services combine automation, human expertise, and global threat intelligence to help organisations move beyond reactive security. The ability to detect and respond within minutes can make the difference between a contained incident and a major breach.”

ESET’s MDR services Meet the Unique Challenges of MSPs

ESET recognises the growing pressures facing MSPs who must balance the critical task of securing clients’ complex IT environments with their own business growth and operations. With threat actors going heavy on supply-chain attacks and abusing MSP tooling, MSPs too find themselves fixed in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. Simply put, MSPs are not only potential victims, but also potential accessories to a crime. To help MSPs fulfill their security potential, ESET’s MDR is also designed to be deployed in an MSP environment with a single solitary security service, available 24/7 that help MSPs to secure themselves as well as their clients.

For more information, please visit www.eset.com/sg

*Based on publicly available information as of 1 October 2025.
**Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report
Hashtag: #ESET

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About ESET

ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of known and emerging cyberthreats — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. An ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.