UAE to Store Crude Oil in India’s Strategic Reserve

India and the United Arab Emirates agreed on 15 May 2026 to expand energy cooperation through crude oil storage in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The arrangement allows the UAE to store up to 30 million barrels of crude oil in India, and it was linked to talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

Strategic Petroleum Reserve in India

India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a crude oil storage system created for emergency supply management. Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited, a Government of India company, manages the country’s strategic crude storage facilities. India’s operational strategic crude oil storage sites include Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Mangaluru in Karnataka, and Padur in Karnataka. Planned expansion projects have also been discussed for Chandikol in Odisha.

India-UAE Energy Cooperation

A Strategic Collaboration Agreement was signed between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. The agreement also covers strategic gas reserves in India and long-term liquefied petroleum gas supply arrangements between Indian Oil Corporation and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates is a major oil storage and bunkering hub on the Gulf of Oman. The India-UAE energy framework also includes the possibility of Indian crude storage in Fujairah.

Related Energy and Investment Facts

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is the national oil company of the United Arab Emirates. Indian Oil Corporation is India’s largest state-owned oil marketing company. During the same visit, UAE entities announced new investment commitments of USD 5 billion into India.

Important Facts for Exams

• India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve is used to store crude oil for supply security during disruptions.
• Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited is the agency associated with India’s strategic crude storage programme.
• Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, and Padur are among India’s strategic crude oil storage locations.
• Fujairah is one of the best-known oil storage centres in the Gulf region.