India UAE maritime agreement strengthens Indian Ocean security, boosts SAGAR vision through MoU signed during JDCC 2025 for joint operations, rescue, and defence training.
India–UAE Sign Maritime Security & Safety Cooperation Agreement
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the UAE National Guard Command formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on July 30, 2025, to enhance maritime security and safety cooperationThis agreement, concluded during the 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting at the Secretary level, marks the 10th maritime pact between India and friendly foreign Coast Guard agencies
Objectives of the MoU
- Establish a collaborative framework to ensure a safe, secure, and sustainable maritime environment in the Indian Ocean region
- Strengthen institutional linkages through joint operations, information sharing, and professional training exchanges
Key Areas of Coordination
- Maritime Search and Rescue (M‑SAR): Unified protocols and coordinated response frameworks.
- Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE): Anti-smuggling, anti-trafficking, and port security initiatives.
- Combatting Transnational Maritime Crimes: Intelligence-sharing to counter piracy and illicit activities.
- Marine Pollution Response (MPR): Joint preparation for environmental emergencies at sea.
- Capacity Building: Exchange programs, training courses, and joint drills
Strategic Significance
The MoU exemplifies India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, reinforcing maritime diplomacy and regional security ambitions It also aligns with broader agreement outcomes from the JDCC meet, including plans for defence collaboration in military training, AI-driven defence tech, joint manufacturing, and naval platform development
Institutional & Diplomatic Milestone
- Held for the first time at Secretary level, the JDCC underscores deepening defence ties between India and UAE
- Other forums held in tandem: Army-to-Army, Navy-to-Navy, and inaugural Air-to-Air Staff Talks, emphasizing interoperability across all military domains
- The MoU was formally signed by DG ICG Paramesh Sivamani and Brigadier Khalid Obaid Shamsi of UAE Coast Guard
Why This News Is Important
Heightened Regional Security
This partnership serves as a strategic bulwark against maritime insecurity, including piracy, smuggling, and trafficking—threats frequently targeting Indian Ocean shipping lanes. By combining resources and intelligence, both nations bolster preparedness and responsiveness in maritime crises.
Enhancing Exam-Relevant Themes
For aspirants in UPSC, State PSCs, police, defence, railways, banking, and teaching exams, this MoU connects to key syllabus themes:
- India’s foreign policy and maritime diplomacy.
- India’s strategic alignment with Gulf nations.
- Implementation of SAGAR vision.
- Bilateral defence collaboration—all pivotal topics in General Studies and current affairs.
Institutional Deepening & Future Projects
This MoU represents not just operational coordination but institutional growth—mirroring India’s evolving network of maritime partnerships. Through this, India and UAE set the stage for future cooperation in defence manufacturing, AI tech, and coastal security infrastructure, aligned with expanding bilateral momentum
Historical Context
Evolution of Indo–UAE Defence Relations
India and UAE’s defence cooperation has matured since the early 2000s, beginning with visits by UAE armed forces leadership. Bilateral exercises like Desert Eagle, Gulf Star‑1, and India–France–UAE maritime drills fostered trust and coordination across air and naval fronts
India’s SAGAR Doctrine
Launched in 2015, SAGAR—Security and Growth for All in the Region—is India’s geopolitical vision for maritime collaboration in the Indian Ocean, emphasizing shared prosperity and security through partnerships
India’s Information Fusion Centre – IOR
Established in 2018, the IFC‑IOR facilitates maritime domain awareness by connecting international liaison officers and agencies, strengthening India’s capacity to address maritime threats across the region
Key Takeaways from India–UAE Maritime Security MoU
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | MoU signed on July 30, 2025 between ICG and UAE National Guard in New Delhi. |
| 2 | Covers 10 key cooperation areas: M‑SAR, anti‑piracy, law enforcement, pollution response, capacity building. |
| 3 | Marks the 10th maritime agreement India has signed with a friendly foreign Coast Guard agency. |
| 4 | MoU supports India’s SAGAR vision and enhances maritime diplomacy in the IOR. |
| 5 | Signed during the first Secretary‑level 13th JDCC, also covering defence tech, training, AI, and joint manufacturing. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the purpose of the India–UAE maritime MoU?
The MoU aims to enhance maritime security, promote safe navigation, and strengthen coordination between the Indian Coast Guard and UAE National Guard Command in areas such as anti-piracy, marine pollution response, and maritime law enforcement.
2. When and where was the MoU signed?
The agreement was signed on July 30, 2025, in New Delhi, during the 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting.
3. What are the core focus areas under this agreement?
Key areas include Maritime Search and Rescue (M‑SAR), anti-smuggling operations, counter-piracy, marine environmental safety, and capacity building through joint training programs and intelligence exchange.
4. How does this MoU benefit India’s strategic interests?
It supports India’s SAGAR initiative (Security and Growth for All in the Region), boosting maritime diplomacy, and strengthening regional security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
5. How many maritime MoUs has India signed so far?
With this agreement, India has now signed 10 maritime cooperation MoUs with friendly foreign Coast Guard agencies.
6. Who signed the agreement on behalf of India and UAE?
The agreement was signed by DG ICG Paramesh Sivamani (India) and Brigadier Khalid Obaid Shamsi (UAE).
7. What other defence initiatives were discussed during the JDCC meeting?
Other discussions included military training, AI-enabled defence systems, joint naval platform development, and co-development and co-production of defence technologies.
8. Why is this agreement significant for defence exam preparation?
It integrates key syllabus themes like international relations, strategic security, and defence cooperation—frequent topics in exams like UPSC, CDS, CAPF, and State PSCs.
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