India-UAE pact reshapes Middle East defense landscape amid Pakistan-Saudi rapprochement

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A major shift is underway in the geopolitics of South Asia and the Middle East, where two neighboring countries, India and Pakistan, are reshaping their relations with different camps. Two major news stories are simultaneously making headlines in Pakistani media and the international arena, suggesting a new future alliance. While Pakistan, through its Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, is discussing expanding the defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, relations between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have warmed to unprecedented levels. On Monday, a $3 billion LNG deal was signed between India and the UAE, with both countries agreeing to elevate defense and trade ties to new heights.

India becomes UAE's largest customer, aims to double trade

The latest example of the strengthening relations between India and the UAE was the visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India. Al Nahyan visited India for only two hours on Monday, but during this brief visit, he held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and made significant decisions. During this period, India signed a $3 billion LNG purchase agreement with the UAE. With this historic deal, India has now become the largest customer of UAE state-owned company ADNOC gas. Under the agreement, ADNOC will supply 500,000 metric tons of LNG annually to India's Hindustan Petroleum for the next 10 years. The two leaders also reiterated their commitment to increase bilateral trade from $100 billion to $200 billion over the next six years and to establish a strategic defense partnership.

Pakistan's defense fortifications with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye

While India is emphasizing economic and energy security, its arch-rival Pakistan is embroiled in defense agreements. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has made a major statement regarding the expansion of the defense agreement with Saudi Arabia. He clarified that the inclusion of a third party, such as Turkey, in this agreement will be decided jointly by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Significantly, last week a Pakistani minister announced the draft of a trilateral defense agreement between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan already signed a mutual defense agreement with Saudi Arabia last year, which it is now seeking to expand further.

Saudi-UAE rivalry and new global blocs

The growing regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the Middle East is also considered a major reason behind these agreements. The two countries have clashed in recent years over issues like the Yemen war and oil production, and their policies are moving in different directions. This tension has resulted in the UAE stopping visas for Pakistani citizens, while Saudi Arabia is moving closer to Pakistan. Max Abrams, a professor and defense expert at Boston's Northeastern University, says that the India-Israel-UAE alliance now appears to be strengthening to counter the Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi Arabia alliance.

India's clear stance: Stay away from regional conflicts

Even as the world talks about new alliances, India has made its position very clear. After signing the Letter of Intent for a strategic defense partnership with the UAE, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that this does not mean that India will become a part of any regional conflict. He stressed that cooperation with a regional country on the defense and security front should not be construed as India's involvement in the regional conflicts or disputes. India's focus is entirely on its energy security and economic interests.