Why India’s focus on Middle East is on trade despite defence ties with UAE

India’s increasing engagement with Gulf nations is driven more by trade and energy security, even as it seeks to forge a defence partnership with the United Arab Emirates amid deepening rivalries in the region, according to analysts. Last week, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a brief stop in New Delhi, where both sides pledged to deepen trade ties and defence cooperation. The trip has fuelled speculation that the UAE is seeking to diversify its strategic partnerships amid...