India-UAE-UK Strategic Dialogues at G7: Focus on Strait of Hormuz and Trade Agreements
Contents4
Hindustan Times - India · 18 Jun 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · International relations Mains · GS2 International relations High relevance
PM Modi's bilateral meetings with UAE President and UK PM at G7 Summit emphasized free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and progress on the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CEPA), highlighting India's strategic economic and geopolitical priorities.
Key points
Strait of Hormuz: Modi and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed called for free navigation and commerce in this critical chokepoint, which handles 20% of global oil trade, directly impacting India's energy security and trade routes.
India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: The leaders reviewed cooperation in energy, technology, trade, and defense, with Modi acknowledging UAE's role in supporting the 4-million-strong Indian diaspora.
India-UK CEPA: Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer discussed implementing the 2025 trade agreement, focusing on defense, technology, and green energy, though UK parliamentary ratification remains pending.
Vision 2035: The India-UK talks covered trade, defense, climate action, and technology, including the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory under their Technology Security Initiative.
[GS3-Economy] The Strait of Hormuz is vital for India's oil imports, with 60% of crude supplies transiting through it, making its security a core economic concern.
[GS2-International Relations] These dialogues reflect India's balancing act in West Asia, advocating for regional stability while deepening ties with both Arab states and Western powers.
West Asia Stability: Modi emphasized dialogue and international law adherence for regional peace, aligning with India's traditional stance on non-intervention and multilateralism.
Way Forward: India should accelerate ratification processes for pending trade deals, establish a joint maritime security framework with Gulf states, and diversify energy supply routes to reduce Hormuz dependency.
Key terms
- Strait of Hormuz
- A 21-mile-wide chokepoint between Oman and Iran connecting Persian Gulf oil producers to global markets. Its strategic importance for UPSC lies in India's energy security (80% oil import dependence) and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provisions guaranteeing transit passage.
- Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CEPA)
- A bilateral trade pact eliminating tariffs on 90% of goods between India and UK, signed in 2025. Relevant for GS3 (Economy) as it covers services, digital trade, and intellectual property, potentially boosting India's $38.1 billion bilateral trade with UK.
- Vision 2035
- The India-UK roadmap for strategic partnership across 5 pillars: trade, defense, climate, tech, and people-to- ties. Significant for GS2 (IR) as it institutionalizes cooperation in critical areas like semiconductor supply chains and renewable energy.
- Technology Security Initiative
- A 2023 India-UK pact to secure tech supply chains and critical minerals. UPSC relevance stems from its focus on strategic sectors like AI and rare earths, aligning with India's Atmanirbhar Bharat and National Security Strategy objectives.
Practice question
Discuss the strategic significance of India's bilateral engagements with the UAE and UK at the G7 Summit, with particular reference to the Strait of Hormuz and trade agreements. (250 words, 15 marks)
GS2 15 marks 250 words Mains
Key terms to include: Strait of Hormuz Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CEPA) Vision 2035 Technology Security Initiative Energy Security Maritime Security Critical Minerals Multilateralism
Answer framework
Introduction
Briefly introduce the context of India's bilateral meetings with UAE and UK at the G7 Summit, highlighting the focus on the Strait of Hormuz and trade agreements.
Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz
Critical chokepoint for global oil trade, handling 20% of global oil trade and 60% of India's crude oil imports.
Ensuring free navigation and commerce is vital for India's energy security and economic stability.
Aligns with India's broader geopolitical strategy in West Asia, advocating for regional stability and adherence to international law.
India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Cooperation in energy, technology, trade, and defense sectors.
UAE's role in supporting the Indian diaspora (4 million strong) and its implications for bilateral relations.
Potential for joint maritime security frameworks to safeguard trade routes.
India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CEPA)
Focus on defense, technology, and green energy sectors under the 2025 trade agreement.
Pending UK parliamentary ratification and its implications for bilateral trade.
Vision 2035 roadmap covering trade, defense, climate action, and technology, including the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory.
Balancing Act in International Relations
India's nuanced approach in deepening ties with both Arab states and Western powers.
Advocacy for dialogue and multilateralism in West Asia while pursuing economic and strategic interests.
Conclusion
Suggest a way forward, emphasizing the need for accelerating trade deal ratifications, diversifying energy supply routes, and strengthening maritime security collaborations to reduce dependency on the Strait of Hormuz.
Fact check
All facts verified Overall severity: medium
Modi and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed called for free navigation and commerce in this critical chokepoint, which handles 20% of global oil trade, directly impacting India's energy security and trade routes.
The source text mentions the call for free navigation but does not specify the 20% figure for global oil trade. Severity: medium
The leaders reviewed cooperation in energy, technology, trade, and defense, with Modi acknowledging UAE's role in supporting the 4-million-strong Indian diaspora.
The source text confirms the review of cooperation and the mention of the Indian diaspora, but the exact number '4-million-strong' is not specified. Severity: medium
Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer discussed implementing the 2025 trade agreement, focusing on defense, technology, and green energy, though UK parliamentary ratification remains pending.
The source text mentions the discussion on implementing the trade agreement and pending UK parliamentary ratification, but the year '2025' is not specified. Severity: medium
The India-UK talks covered trade, defense, climate action, and technology, including the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory under their Technology Security Initiative.
The source text confirms the coverage of these topics and the mention of the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory, but the specific name 'Technology Security Initiative' is not mentioned. Severity: medium
The Strait of Hormuz is vital for India's oil imports, with 60% of crude supplies transiting through it, making its security a core economic concern.
The source text does not mention the 60% figure for India's crude supplies transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. Severity: medium