Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to expand energy cooperation during talks in Abu Dhabi. Under the agreement, the United Arab Emirates will store up to 30 million barrels of crude oil in India’s strategic petroleum reserves. The two countries also signed long-term deals for LPG supply and discussed creating strategic gas reserves in India. Both sides stressed the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and announced $5 billion in UAE investments in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima on Saturday during his visit to the Netherlands. Talks are expected to focus on semiconductors, renewable energy, defence, technology and trade. Modi said the India-EU free trade agreement will help strengthen economic ties. He will also meet Dutch business leaders and interact with the Indian community. The Netherlands is one of India’s largest trade partners and investors in Europe.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi during the first leg of his five-nation tour, securing a landmark defence framework, major energy agreements, and $5 billion in UAE investments into India. The UAE pledged investments through Emirates NBD, ADIA, and International Holding Company across banking, infrastructure, and finance sectors. India and the UAE also strengthened cooperation on strategic petroleum reserves, LPG supply, gas storage, defence technology, maritime security, cyber defence, AI supercomputing, and shipbuilding. Modi reaffirmed support for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, calling it critical for regional stability, energy security, and global trade amid ongoing West Asia tensions. (PC: X)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Pakistan is currently helping facilitate communication between the United States and Iran amid escalating West Asia tensions, but suggested India could emerge as a stronger long-term mediator. Speaking in Delhi during the BRICS Summit, Lavrov said Pakistan was assisting in establishing dialogue channels between Washington and Tehran to address “urgent problems.” However, he noted that India’s extensive diplomatic experience makes it better suited for a sustained mediation role if both sides seek long-term engagement. Lavrov’s remarks come amid growing geopolitical uncertainty surrounding US-Iran relations, maritime security concerns, and wider regional instability across West Asia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brief 2.5-hour visit to the United Arab Emirates delivered major strategic and economic gains for India amid escalating West Asia tensions. India and the UAE signed key agreements covering defence cooperation, energy security, maritime connectivity and infrastructure development, while Abu Dhabi announced USD 5 billion in fresh investments. The discussions focused heavily on safeguarding regional stability and ensuring uninterrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid fears of wider conflict disruptions. Both countries also stressed economic resilience, trade expansion and long-term connectivity. Modi’s meeting with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reinforced India-UAE ties during a volatile geopolitical moment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United Arab Emirates and secured key agreements on defence, energy security, maritime infrastructure and investment. India and the UAE signed a Strategic Defence Partnership framework, along with deals on strategic petroleum reserves and long-term LPG supplies to strengthen India’s energy security amid global tensions. The UAE also announced nearly USD 5 billion in investments for Indian infrastructure, banking and housing finance projects. An MoU was signed to develop a ship repair cluster at Vadinar in Gujarat. Both nations stressed regional stability, secure trade routes and expanding bilateral trade beyond USD 100 billion. (PC: India Today)

Abbas Araghchi said there is no military solution to the conflict between Iran and the United States. Speaking in New Delhi after the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting, he urged Washington to negotiate seriously. Araghchi said Iran does not trust the US but is willing to give diplomacy a chance. He described the current ceasefire as shaky. He also said India and China can play a constructive role in restoring peace. Araghchi added that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to countries not involved in the war with Iran. (PC: AFP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Abu Dhabi on Friday and held talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two countries signed agreements on LPG supply, strategic petroleum reserves and defence cooperation. They also announced a $5 billion investment in Indian infrastructure. Modi said India supports peace and stability in the Middle East and called for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open. The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner and an important energy partner for India. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday said Tehran would “welcome constructive role by India” in efforts to address the escalating West Asia crisis and ongoing tensions involving the United States. Speaking in New Delhi, Araghchi said Iran’s negotiations with Washington were currently “suffering from lack of trust” and stressed that Tehran had “no trust on Americans” unless the US showed seriousness in talks.   The remarks came as India signed key energy agreements with the UAE, including an LPG supply pact and strategic oil reserves cooperation, amid fears of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and rising global energy concerns. (PC: HT)

A US court has sentenced Indian-origin man Jashanpreet Singh, founder of the ‘Punjabi Devils’ motorcycle gang linked to the Hells Angels, to five years and four months in prison on firearms charges. Prosecutors said Singh illegally sold assault weapons, machine gun conversion devices and other firearms to an undercover officer in California last year. A search of his home uncovered more weapons, explosives and a silencer. Singh was arrested by the FBI at San Francisco International Airport in July 2025 while allegedly attempting to flee to India after missing a court appearance in a state case. (PC: X)