The Putin-Xi Summit, PM Modi's UAE Visit, and the India-Nordic Summit

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CWA # 2118, 24 May 2026

The World This Week

The Putin-Xi Summit, PM Modi's UAE Visit, and the India-Nordic Summit

Global Politics Team

The Putin-Xi Summit
Trade, Technology, Security, and Pipeline

With 40 meetings so far since 2013 and 40 agreements signed during the summit, China and Russia frame their relationship as equal strategic cooperation, though favors Beijing.

Aparna A Nair

What happened?
During 19-20 May, Russia’s President Putin visited Beijing, marking his 25th visit to the country. The talks were held in two rounds—a private meeting between the Presidents, followed by a large meeting with the delegation.

The meetings resulted in the following: An extension of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation and a joint statement on “further strengthening” the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between the countries were reached, along with a joint declaration on a multipolar world.

China’s Foreign Ministry stated that the joint declaration advocates for a multipolar world and a new type of international relations. 40 agreements have been reached on topics ranging from technology and trade to nuclear security and Taiwan. They also discussed the Middle East and called for a comprehensive ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of negotiation.

There was also a discussion on the Power of Siberia pipeline; Russia’s presidential press secretary said, "In general, there is an understanding of the main parameters for Power of Siberia 2. There is agreement on the route and the construction process,” and details like the timeline are yet to be worked out.

President Putin said: “Russia and China are committed to an independent and sovereign foreign policy, are working together in close strategic cooperation and playing an important stabilising role on the global stage.”

What is the background?
1. President Putin’s 25th visit and his 40 meetings with President Xi since 2013
President Putin has visited Beijing 25 times throughout his tenure. Both presidents have met over 40 times a year through bilateral and multilateral forums since 2013. These meetings accelerated during the events of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and US-China trade tensions. Through these meetings, both Presidents demonstrated a unified front against US dominance, a vision for a multipolar world, and strengthened cooperation. The two leaders framed their cooperation as a response to a contested, multipolar world and presented a joint declaration that explicitly advocates a multipolar international system and a “new type” of state-to-state relations. It positions itself as an alternative to Western-led institutions and norms.

2. Increasing interdependence
The diplomatic and economic isolation by the West made Russia more reliant on China. Beijing is now a crucial provider of trade, finance, and technology that helps Moscow mitigate the impact of sanctions. China benefits from Russian energy and raw materials. The summit announced 40 agreements, reflecting the transactional interdependence it created. In the first four months of 2026, total trade between the two countries exceeded USD 61 billion, marking a 14.8 percent increase year-on-year.

3. The Power of Siberia Pipeline
The Power of Siberia pipeline project is crucial for Russia as it monetizes the Arctic gas field and aids its economy, as they lost the European market due to the invasion of Ukraine. China's approval of the deal is the likely way out, since there is no alternative buyer in place. This situation favors China, as it holds leverage in the proceedings and increases Russia's dependence on it. In this way, the pipeline project is not just an energy project but a strategic instrument.

What does it mean?
First, the summit brought out the growing asymmetry. In the current circumstances, China is increasingly becoming dependent on itself for economic survival and diplomatic backing. While China and Russia frame their relationship as equal strategic cooperation, it favors Beijing.

Second, through the Power of Siberia 2 project, China can dictate terms as they possess diversified trade and energy supply chains. This structural dependence will result in the supply of discounted raw materials and energy while China gains geopolitical influence.

India, the UAE, and PM Modi’s visit:
Deepening Energy, AI, Defence, and Maritime Cooperation

India and the UAE are moving beyond oil and trade; they are increasingly cooperating in defence, maritime infrastructure, AI, cybersecurity, logistics, and advanced technologies.

Yesasvi Koganti

What happened?
On 15 May, the Indian PM Narendra Modi visited the UAE and held talks with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the visit, both countries inked several bilateral deals on energy security, defence cooperation, maritime infrastructure, AI, supercomputing, and investment cooperation.

The Press Information Bureau of India reported that the key deals were with Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the strategic defence partnership. The visit has also focused largely on promotion of cooperation in areas such as maritime connectivity, ship repair facilities, cyber and technological innovation, and advanced manufacturing. MoUs were signed between Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Drydocks World (DDW), and the Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS) and a strategic defence partnership framework.

What is the background?
1. A brief note on the recent India-UAE relations
Both India and the UAE have long-standing economic engagement based on trade and energy partnerships. Since Prime Minister Modi's first visit to the UAE in 2015, both countries have elevated their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across defence, trade, technology/infrastructure, and regional security. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), bilateral trade is expected to exceed USD 101.25 billion in FY 2025-2026. The UAE is one of India's largest trading partners and a leading source of investments in Indian infrastructure and renewable energy projects. Bilateral cooperation and trust have been enhanced by the committed high-level engagement of both countries, including the eight visits by PM Modi in the past decade.

Economic relations between the two states have expanded rapidly over the last decade. The bilateral trade is expected to exceed USD 100 billion in the financial year 2025–26. Therefore, the UAE remains one of the largest overseas traders in India. Furthermore, agreements like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) of 2022 and the Bilateral Investment Treaty of 2024 further consolidated economic integration between both countries. While India aspires to attract more UAE investment, the UAE views India as a key market and a strategic economic partner in Asia.

2. Expanding India-UAE cooperation in defence, maritime security, and skill development
During the past decade, there has been an increased interaction between India and the UAE in defence and maritime security areas. The process of cooperation is regulated by the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC), created in July 2025. Additionally, consultations between the military personnel of India and the UAE also help foster strong relationships between the two countries in terms of military affairs. While India is focused on increasing maritime security and developing its indigenous defence manufacturing through the "Make in India" program. Simultaneously, the UAE is focusing on enhancing its foothold in the regional logistics, port development, maritime trade, and high-tech defence industries. The two countries have also expressed concerns over regional security threats, economic connectivity, and supply chain resilience.

3. Growing cooperation in emerging technologies and future-oriented sectors
Emerging technologies, including AI and cybersecurity and digital infrastructure, supercomputing, and advanced manufacturing, have been increasingly significant in national development plans for both India and the UAE. The India AI Mission and broader digital modernization are expected to catalyze India's technology self-reliance, digital economy, and innovation ecosystem. Similarly, the UAE is also working to diversify its economy from hydrocarbon-based industries and position itself as a global hub for AI, innovation, and future technologies.

What does it mean?
First, India and the UAE are deepening and diversifying their bilateral relations. The agreements signed as a result of the visit prove that bilateral relations are beyond traditional oil and trade cooperation. India and the UAE are also increasingly cooperating in defence, maritime infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, logistics, and advanced technologies.

The collaboration supports Make in India for the indigenization of defence manufacturing under the Make in India initiative. Stronger defence relations with India help the UAE shift its strategic partnerships away from the West and deepen collaboration in advanced military technologies.

Second, the emergence of technologies has become a key pillar of cooperation. Partnerships in AI, supercomputing, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure, such as the agreement between the 8 Exaflop Super Computing Cluster in partnership between CDAC, India, and G-42, UAE, indicate that emerging technologies are becoming central to bilateral relations. Such initiatives help expand India’s sovereign AI capabilities and strengthen digital infrastructure under the IndiaAI Mission, while also bolstering the UAE's ambitions of becoming a global technology and AI hub. The agreements also reflect how both countries are aligning economic growth with technological transformation and future-ready development.

The India-Nordic Summit and PM Modi’s Oslo Visit
Arctic cooperation, Climate diplomacy, and Trade diversification

Nordic countries view India as an increasingly important economic and strategic partner, as New Delhi offers access to one of the world’s fastest-growing major markets, a large skilled workforce, an expanding digital economy etc

Lekshmi MK

What happened?
On 19 May, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the third India-Nordic Summit held in Oslo, Norway. The summit brought together leaders from the five Nordic countries, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Norway, to discuss cooperation with India on different areas.

The summit concluded with a joint statement emphasizing stronger collaboration in clean energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, climate action, Arctic governance, and resilient supply chains. The leaders also collectively agreed to elevate India-Nordic ties into a “Trusted Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership.”

What is the background?
1. A brief background to the Nordic countries
Located in Northern Europe, the Nordic countries include Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. Despite their small populations, these countries possess significant global influence in areas such as renewable energy, maritime industries, climate governance, Arctic affairs, digital innovation, and sustainable development. The Nordic region is also strategically important due to its proximity to the Arctic and growing relevance in emerging geopolitical and connectivity discussions. For India, the Nordic countries represent important partners in various arenas.

2. A brief note on the India-Nordic relations
India and the Nordic countries have maintained diplomatic and economic relations for several decades through cooperation in trade, shipping, renewable energy, technology, sustainability, education, and innovation. Over time, the relationship has gradually evolved from bilateral economic engagement to broader strategic and geopolitical cooperation. To institutionalize engagement between India and the Nordic region, the India-Nordic Summit mechanism was launched in 2018. The first India-Nordic Summit was held in Stockholm, Sweden, and focused on innovation, climate change, trade, and investment cooperation. In 2022, the second summit took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, emphasizing green partnerships, post-pandemic recovery, digital transformation, and sustainable development. The 2026 summit in Oslo reflects the continuing expansion and institutionalization of India–Nordic cooperation.

3. The Nordic countries hold significant economic and cultural importance for India
The Nordic countries hold growing economic and cultural significance for India due to expanding cooperation. India’s bilateral trade with the Nordic countries is estimated at USD 13 billion, covering sectors such as renewable energy, shipping, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, information technology, clean technologies, and maritime industries. The implementation of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) in 2025 is further expected to facilitate nearly USD 100 billion in investments in India over the next fifteen years. Nordic countries also possess advanced expertise in green technologies, sustainable industrial models, and maritime sectors that complement India’s developmental priorities. Additionally, the presence of an expanding Indian diaspora, including students, professionals, researchers, and skilled workers, has contributed towards strengthening people-to-people, educational, and cultural ties between India and the Nordic region.

4. Strategic importance of the Nordic to India
The Nordic countries are becoming increasingly strategically important to India because of their growing cooperation in climate change mitigation, sustainable development, Arctic governance, and emerging geopolitical issues. Nordic countries are global leaders in renewable energy, environmental sustainability, climate governance, and green technologies, making them important partners for India’s clean energy transition and climate action goals. Another important dimension is Arctic and polar research. Due to their geographical proximity and active involvement in Arctic governance, the Nordic countries play a major role in climate science, marine research, and sustainable resource management. India’s interest in the Arctic has also increased because of the impact of melting ice caps on global climate systems, maritime routes, biodiversity, and the Indian monsoon. Cooperation with Nordic countries therefore supports India’s scientific research, climate diplomacy, and long-term strategic understanding of the rapidly changing Arctic region.

What does it mean?
First, the Arctic is becoming increasingly important to India. Developments in the Arctic directly influence global climate systems, including the Indian monsoon and environmental sustainability. Cooperation with the Nordic countries therefore provides India greater access to Arctic research, climate science, marine studies, and polar governance discussions.

Second, the summit demonstrates how climate change and sustainability are increasingly shaping contemporary international relations and strategic partnerships.

Third, the summit reflects India’s broader strategy of diversifying its strategic and economic partnerships beyond traditional major powers. By deepening engagement with technologically advanced and sustainability-driven Nordic countries, India seeks to strengthen cooperation in multiple arenas, especially trade.

Fourth, the Nordic countries view India as an increasingly important economic and strategic partner. India offers access to one of the world’s fastest-growing major markets, a large skilled workforce, an expanding digital economy, and significant opportunities in renewable energy, technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. Amid growing geopolitical uncertainties and supply chain vulnerabilities, Nordic countries are also seeking to diversify economic partnerships and reduce excessive dependence on concentrated markets.

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