Delhi, 30 July (H.S.): India and the UAE reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral defence cooperation at the 13th India-UAE Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting, marking the first Secretary-level meeting held in New Delhi on Wednesday. Co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and UAE Under Secretary of Defense Lt General Ibrahim Nasser M. Al Alawi, discussions aimed to elevate defence ties alongside growth in trade and social relations. Both nations agreed to bolster military training cooperation, with India offering tailored training courses for the UAE. They also committed to sharing real-time maritime security information.

Discussions included defence industrial partnerships, joint manufacturing initiatives—like the ICOMM-CARACAL model for small arms production—and co-development of next-generation defence technologies, particularly in Artificial Intelligence. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Indian Coast Guard and UAE National Guard, focusing on cooperation in search and rescue, pollution response, and anti-piracy.

Prior to the JDCC, the nations conducted the 4th Army-to-Army, 9th Navy-to-Navy, and inaugural Air-to-Air Staff Talks, enhancing military exercises and training exchanges. The UAE delegation is set to meet Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth on July 31 and participate in the 2nd India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum. The defence relationship, strengthened by the 2015 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, is anticipated to gain further momentum with India's upcoming participation in the Dubai Air Show in November 2025.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar