Energy security a key priority: UAE stopover added to PM Modi's Europe tour amid West Asia conflict

📌 Summary:

• PM Modi is expected to visit UAE on May 15, 2026 — a last-minute addition to his Europe tour, driven by energy security concerns.

• UAE holds a comprehensive strategic partnership with India and hosts one of the world's largest Indian diaspora communities.

• Why UAE now: The UAE has been a major target of Iranian missile attacks since the West Asia war began on February 28, 2026 (Tehran accuses UAE of hosting US military bases). The conflict has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, severely impacting India's energy imports.

• UAE exits OPEC: In a significant move, the UAE announced its exit from OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) and OPEC+ — potentially allowing it to independently increase output and help stabilise global oil supply.

• India's diplomatic tightrope: India has consistently condemned attacks on the UAE while maintaining back-channel dialogue with Iran — balancing its Look West policy.

• From the UAE, Modi will travel to Europe — meeting leaders there on bilateral and multilateral agendas.

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — International Relations (Look West Policy, India-UAE relations, India-Iran diplomacy); GS3 — Economy (energy security, oil imports).

📝 Prelims Facts:

• India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: announced in 2017.
• UAE''s exit from OPEC: significant — UAE is the 3rd largest oil producer in OPEC; its exit allows output increases beyond OPEC quotas.
• OPEC+: grouping of OPEC members + Russia and other non-OPEC oil producers.
• India imports ~17% of its crude from UAE (one of top 3 suppliers); about 3.5 million Indian diaspora in UAE.

🔑 Key Term: Look West Policy — India's strategic engagement with West Asia (Gulf countries, Israel, Iran) for energy security, diaspora welfare, trade, and geopolitical stability; a counterpart to the Look East/Act East policy.