Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held wide-ranging talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a short but substantive two-hour visit to India on Monday, with cooperation on nuclear reactors, artificial intelligence, defence, energy security and counter-terrorism emerging as key focus areas.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the two leaders, who share an “extremely warm and close relationship,” held discussions at both restricted and delegation levels. Several agreements and letters of intent were exchanged in the presence of the two leaders, underlining the depth and breadth of the India-UAE partnership.

The UAE delegation included members of the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Royal families and key ministers, including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the UAE.

Energy security featured prominently in the talks. India and the UAE welcomed the signing of a 10-year LNG supply agreement between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and ADNOC Gas for the delivery of 0.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas annually from 2028. The deal makes the UAE one of India’s largest LNG suppliers. Both sides underlined the UAE’s growing role in supporting India’s long-term energy needs amid global volatility.

A notable addition to the bilateral agenda was civil nuclear cooperation. The two sides agreed to explore partnerships in advanced nuclear technologies, including the development and deployment of large nuclear reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

The discussions follow India’s enactment of the SHANTI law, which officials said opens new avenues for international collaboration in nuclear energy. Cooperation will also cover advanced reactor systems, nuclear power plant operations and maintenance, and nuclear safety.