India and the UAE on Monday agreed to work towards a comprehensive strategic defence partnership framework, marking a significant expansion of bilateral cooperation in defence, security and advanced technologies.Multiple agreements were signed across the defence, energy, infrastructure, space and food security sectors, underlining the depth of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.A letter of intent on the strategic defence partnership was among the most consequential outcomes. Under the proposed framework, India and the UAE will expand cooperation in defence industrial collaboration, defence innovation and advanced technologies, training, education and doctrine, special operations and interoperability, cyber space and counter-terrorism.In the energy sector, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and ADNOC Gas signed a long-term sales and purchase agreement for liquefied natural gas (LNG). Under the deal, the HPCL will buy 0.5 million metric tonnes per annum of LNG from ADNOC Gas for a 10-year period, starting 2028.The two sides also inked a letter of intent on investment cooperation between the Government of Gujarat and the UAE Ministry of Investment for the development of the Dholera Special Investment Region.The envisaged partnership includes UAE participation in the development of strategic infrastructure such as an international airport, a pilot training school, maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities, a greenfield port, a smart urban township, railway connectivity and energy infrastructure.In the space domain, a letter of intent was signed between the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and the UAE Space Agency to promote joint infrastructure development and commercial collaboration. The initiative will focus on launch complexes, manufacturing and technology zones, incubation centres and accelerators for space start-ups, as well as training institutes and exchange programmes.A memorandum of understanding was also signed on food safety and technical requirements between APEDA and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. The pact aims to harmonise sanitary and quality standards to facilitate trade and boost the export of rice, food and other agricultural products from India to the UAE, benefiting Indian farmers while contributing to the UAE’s food security goals.