Energy security will be the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE on May 15, the first leg of a five-nation tour, and the two sides are expected to sign key agreements on LPG supplies and strategic petroleum reserves, people familiar with the matter said.
Modi’s six-day visit will take him to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, and energy and technology cooperation, along with measures to deal with the economic fallout from the conflict in West Asia, are set to top the agenda in most countries, said the source, who requested anonymity.
The Indian side has focused on supporting energy cooperation with key suppliers in West Asia amid the turmoil caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and Modi’s discussions with the UAE leadership during a short stop in Abu Dhabi are expected to cover energy cooperation and the well-being of 4.5 million Indians living in the UAE.
Indian Oil Corporation and Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation (ADNOC) are expected to sign a strategic cooperation agreement on LPG supplies, while Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) and ADNOC are expected to sign a strategic cooperation agreement on strategic oil reserves, sources said.
ADNOC has already entered into an agreement with ISPRL to store more than five million barrels of crude oil at a facility in Mangalore.
Sibi George, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs, said in a press conference that energy cooperation will be the focus during the meeting between Modi and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Asim Mahajan, Additional Secretary for Gulf Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the UAE is an important partner for energy security, as it was the fourth largest exporter of crude oil in 2025, meeting nearly 11% of India’s needs. India is the largest buyer of UAE LNG, as Indian companies signed long-term supply contracts with ADNOC worth 4.5 million metric tons annually.
The UAE is also India’s largest exporter of LPG and meets nearly 40% of the country’s requirement. Mahajan said that it is at the same time the second largest destination for Indian refineries’ exports of petroleum, oil and lubricants, and Indian companies have invested more than $1.2 billion in the exploration and production sector in the Emirates.
“During the current turmoil in West Asia, the UAE has remained one of India’s most reliable energy partners. With long-term supply agreements in place, India’s energy security has been strengthened. Strengthening energy cooperation will be on the main agenda of the visit,” one of the people said.
The volume of bilateral trade in goods between India and the UAE exceeded $100 billion, reaching $101.25 billion in the period 2025-2026. The two sides have now set a target to double trade to $200 billion by 2032. The UAE is the seventh-largest investor in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of $25.19 billion. A local currency settlement system is already in place between the two sides, reducing reliance on the dollar and transaction costs, the people said.
