Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm personal welcome to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport in New Delhi on Monday. This special gesture underscored the deep and growing friendship between India and the United Arab Emirates. The visiting leader arrived for a high-level official visit expected to last approximately two hours.
A Visit Illustrating Strong Friendship
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, often referred to as MBZ, undertook this visit at the personal invitation of Prime Minister Modi. The trip occurs against a backdrop of significant developments in the West Asia region. Prime Minister Modi took to social media platform X to express his sentiments about the meeting.
"I went to the airport to welcome my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE," Modi posted. "His visit clearly shows the importance he places on a strong India-UAE friendship. I look forward to our discussions."
Building on Recent High-Level Exchanges
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this visit builds substantial momentum from recent top-level exchanges between the two nations. These include the September 2024 visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They also encompass the April 2025 visit of Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Sheikh Mohamed were scheduled for later in the evening. Officials indicated the discussions would focus on advancing the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The leaders were also expected to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Frequency of Engagement Reflects Close Ties
This visit marks President Sheikh Mohamed's third official trip to India since assuming office as UAE President. It represents his fifth visit to the country within the past decade. This frequency highlights the consistent and high-level engagement between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi.
The timing of the visit coincides with ongoing diplomatic activity concerning West Asia. The United States is preparing to move to the next phase of its Gaza Peace Plan. This phase includes the proposed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. A White House statement confirmed that Prime Minister Modi has received an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join the Gaza Peace Board.
Sustained Engagement Across Multiple Domains
India and the UAE have maintained robust engagement across political, economic, and defence sectors in recent months. Earlier this month, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited the UAE to strengthen military cooperation. In December, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar travelled to Abu Dhabi for the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting and Strategic Dialogue.
The two countries share exceptionally strong political, economic, and people-to-people ties. These connections are supported by several important frameworks:
- The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
- The Local Currency Settlement system
- A Bilateral Investment Treaty
India and the UAE also cooperate closely at various multilateral forums. These include the United Nations, BRICS, the I2U2 grouping, and the UAE-France-India trilateral initiative.
Reviewing Progress and Identifying New Opportunities
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that President Sheikh Mohamed's short visit provides a valuable opportunity. Both leaders can review progress in bilateral ties during this meeting. They can also identify new areas for cooperation amid evolving regional dynamics. This focused engagement reinforces the strategic partnership between two key nations in a rapidly changing global landscape.
