The US and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are eyeing the possibility of military collaboration, including joint exercises, with India following Washington’s designation of the West Asian country as a “major defence partner”.

The US announced the UAE’s recognition as a “major defence partner” – a status accorded so far only to India – in a joint statement issued after a meeting between President Joe Biden and his UAE counterpart Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the White House on Monday.

The designation acknowledged the US and UAE’s deepening security partnership, cooperation in advanced technology and acquisition, and a shared interest in preventing conflict and de-escalation, the joint statement said. This will help enhance defence cooperation and security in the Middle East, East Africa and the Indian Ocean regions.