India, May 14 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stopover in Abu Dhabi on May 15, en route to the India-Nordic Summit, may last only a few hours, but comes at a moment of uncommon strategic consequence. Modi will meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) amid exceptional turbulence in West Asia. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and heightened tensions involving Iran have unsettled energy markets, shipping and regional security. Against this backdrop, sustained coordination with Abu Dhabi has acquired fresh urgency.

The timing is especially significant. Modi recently used a public address to urge Indians to moderate fuel consumption to ease the economic strain from rising oil prices and the West Asia conflict-an unusua...