India and UAE Sign MoU on Maritime Security and Safety Cooperation.
MOUs and Agreement
On July 30, 2025, during the 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in New Delhi, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the United Arab Emirates National Guard Command (UAE NGC) formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Maritime Security and Safety Cooperation. The event marks a strategic milestone in strengthening bilateral maritime collaboration between the two nations.
- India and UAE reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing joint efforts in core coast guard functions under the MoU. These include Maritime Search & Rescue (M‑SAR), combating transnational maritime crimes, Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Marine Pollution Response (MPR), and joint capacity‑building exercises.
- This MoU represents the 10th such agreement that India has signed with friendly foreign countries’ coast guards. It builds upon India’s strategic SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, aiming to foster regional maritime security and sustainable ocean governance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Main Point :- (i) The agreement also complements ongoing India–UAE defence collaborations, including expanded cooperation in real-time maritime information sharing, joint naval drills, and military training programs tailored to UAE needs. At the JDCC, India also committed to providing customised training courses to the UAE Armed Forces.
(ii) Already earlier in 2025, the Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel ICGS Shoor docked in Abu Dhabi to participate in NAVDEX/IDEX 2025. The goodwill visit showcased India’s maritime capabilities, demonstrated search-and-rescue tools, and facilitated face-to-face engagements ahead of the MoU signing.
About United Arab Emirates
President: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Prime minister: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
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