What happened:
On November 16, 2025, the Ministry of Defence announced that Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth will lead India’s delegation to the Dubai Air Show 2025, scheduled for November 17–18. The delegation includes senior officials from Defence, Defence Production, MEA and the Armed Forces. Seth will meet his UAE counterpart and chair an industry roundtable with over 50 global companies. He will also inaugurate the India Pavilion, featuring HAL, DRDO and multiple Indian firms. Nineteen Indian companies and fifteen startups will exhibit independently, while the Indian Air Force will participate with the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team and LCA Tejas.
Why it matters to India:
The event strengthens India’s defence diplomacy with the UAE and expands global exposure for Indian aerospace and defence manufacturing. Showcasing Tejas, SKAT and leading defence firms boosts India’s push for exports and technological partnerships, aligning with broader goals of self-reliance and deeper cooperation in the Gulf region