If Hormuz burns, India feels the heat immediately so PM Modi stops at UAE to shield India from any potential energy crisis. Enroute to Europe to secure India’s economic future, PM Modi’s UAE visit signify Strategic Security which he wants to achieve in Middle East. With Pakistan deploying fighter jets in Saudi Arabia under mutual strategic defence pact, India today signed Strategic Defense Partnership Agreement with UAE along with 13 other pacts important for balance of power in middle east. Prime Minister’s UAE visit isn’t just about managing a crisis, it’s about re-engineering the future. Sources and media reports say the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and PM Modi finalized a grand logistics strategy to bypass the volatility of the Strait of Hormuz entirely. This includes expanding the UAE’s Fujairah oil terminal’s capacity and accelerating a second cross-peninsula pipeline from Habshan. A reality where Indian vessels load oil from the safer waters of the Gulf of Oman, leaving the ‘burning’ Persian Gulf behind. It is a strategy of pure necessity, function, and long-term vision. Besides MoU on strategic petroleum reserves signed between India and UAE would allow the UAE to store oil in India, strengthening India’s energy security during global supply shocks and deepening a key energy partnership with its fourth-largest crude supplier.
Shailesh Kumar / Shreya Das, National Defence
New Delhi, 18th May 2026
PM Modi began a five-nation tour that will take him to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. But before that he takes a brief stopover in the UAE with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. This might seem like a mere refuelling halt on paper, but it is way more than that.
Just days ago, the Fujairah oil terminal—one of the world’s most vital energy hubs in the UAE was the target of a devastating missile strike. The UAE has pointed the finger directly at Tehran while Iran issues denials. Three Indian nationals are currently recovering from severe burns sustained in that very attack. New Delhi has not stayed silent. Prime Minister Modi has issued a sharp condemnation of the strike terming it unacceptable, signalling that India will not ignore threats to its citizens or its energy security. Amid all this tension in the middle east Modi’s visit is crucial to act as the Net security provider.
There are at least 14 agreements signed between India and UAE on 15th May during PM Modi’s Abu Dhabi visit. The agreements include a strategic defense partnership, energy security deals (petroleum reserves/LPG supply), and USD $5 billion in infrastructure investments. Agreement on supplies of Liquified Petroleum gas (LPG) and MoU on setting up ship repair cluster in Gujarat’s Vadinar in Devbhumi Dwarka. UAE holds great importance in India’s energy supply and security.
PM Modi’s UAE visit assumes more significance if we see the number of attacks on Indian vessels in recent days since the start of the Iran war on 28th February.
In March 2026: Lethal drone/missile strikes on the Skylight and MKD VYOM killed three Indian sailors, causing regional shipping to turn off transponders.
April 2026: Gunshots fire on the Indian tanker Sanmar Herald. The Indian Navy independently steps in to escort and secure 22 India-bound vessels.
May 2026: A strike on 13th May sinks the Indian cargo dhow MSV Haj Ali. The crew of 14 was rescued by Omani Coast Guard in the Gulf of Oman, drawing a sharp diplomatic condemnation from India.
According to sources, the Indian Navy maintains a major independent warship and drone deployment to shield vital energy corridors without joining Western task forces. MEA India earlier to a question of National Defence confirmed the presence of Indian Navy in vicinity under Operation Sankalp.
India UAE relations getting deepened day by day. Back in January, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan came to New Delhi for just four hours. Prime Minister Modi broke protocol to receive him personally at the tarmac, a gesture that costs nothing but communicates everything.
Prime Minister Modi just 2 hours historic UAE stop over will change the geopolitical dynamics in West Asia and reinforce balance of power in middle east. Since the start of Iran war on 28th May, UAE is under constant attack by Iran. According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, by early May 2026 Iran had launched approximately:
551 ballistic missiles
29 cruise missiles
2,263– 2,265 drones against the UAE
The attack resulted in around 10 civilian deaths, 2 UAE military personnel death, also
1 Moroccan contractor killed while roughly 230 injuries.
It is not just the balance of power in middle east but the kind of coalition which Iran recently started forming worries UAE. At the same time deployment of Pakistani fighter jets at Saudi Arabia airbase also worried India as the development shifted the balance of power. India found Saudi Arabia an important partner in IMEC corridor but off late, it signed mutual defence pact with Pakistan. That means in case of any Indian retaliatory attack on Pakistan, Riyad will come to the defence of Islamabad.
Similarly The relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in May 2026 has transitioned from a historical “brotherly alliance” into a complex “open rivalry” characterised by fierce economic competition and diverging regional strategies.
Saudi Arabia is now leading a new “Islamic Coalition” that include Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan focusing on diplomatic containment. They are reportedly discussing a regional non-aggression pact with Tehran to protect their “Vision 2030” infrastructure like NEOM city from further missile attacks.
UAE has taken a more defensive and strong stance, doubling down on its partnership with Israel and the U.S. Abu Dhabi has integrated the Iron Dome and other Israeli anti-missile systems into their defense architecture, betting on hard power to deter Iranian aggression.
Iran’s missile map reveals a geopolitical shift that clearly show intensified pressure on the UAE, while Saudi Arabia gradually moved from frontline target to cautious regional negotiator.”
So, PM Modi’s strategy is clear, Indian interests should be protected while India secures it shipping lanes. PM Modi will not let shift the balance of power in West Asia at any cost.
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