After India, US President Biden Designates UAE As Its 'Major Defense Partner'
The United States President today declared the UAE a major defense partner, declaring plans to deepen military ties amid the ongoing friction between the two countries over the conflict in West Asia and the war in Sudan.
Sharing the White House statement on his X platform, the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that the decision was to build on trilateral initiatives and coordination between the U.S., the UAE, and India. “We look forward to deepening our dynamic security and defense partnership with the UAE to build a more stable, secure, peaceful, and prosperous Middle East region,” Austin wrote.
Today, @POTUS designated the UAE a Major Defense Partner of the U.S. to build on trilateral initiatives and coordination between the U.S., the UAE, and India. We look forward to deepening our dynamic security and defense partnership with the UAE to build a more stable, secure,…
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) September 23, 2024
Read Also: What Could Be The Reason Behind Increasing Presence Of Chinese “Research Vessels” In Indian Ocean?
In 2021, the US administration had designated India as its major defense partner, and the UAE became the second country to receive the US designation. According to the statement from the US, the designation would enhance defense cooperation and security in the “Middle East, East Africa, and the Indian Ocean regions.”
“The visit is the first-ever by a President of the United Arab Emirates to Washington and marks the leaders’ fourth bilateral meeting in the Biden-Harris Administration,” said the statement, adding that the leaders affirmed the enduring U.S.-UAE strategic and defense partnership, bolstered areas of deepening cooperation in advanced technology and investments, and discussed global and regional matters.
Read Also: US Sends More Troops To West Asia As Israel Attacks Lebanon
Regarding the ongoing offensive in Gaza, both leaders expressed commitment to a path to stabilization and recovery that responds to the humanitarian crisis, establishes law and order, and lays the groundwork for responsible governance for Israel and Palestine.
Notably, the development comes as Sudan and the US accuse the UAE of fueling the civil war in the African country by providing weapons to a rival paramilitary force. The US had in April asked the Gulf nation to stop supporting Sudan’s warring parties, which have internally displaced more than 10.7 million people and forced a further 2.3 million to flee the country, according to the UN.
The statement also discussed the conflict in Sudan, stating that there can be no military solution to the conflict and stressing that all the parties must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
