ISLAMABAD: United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed AlNahyan arrived in India on January 19, 2026, for an official visit at theinvitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a significantdiplomatic engagement amid heightened instability in the Middle East. Thistrip, his third official visit to India since assuming the presidency andfifth in the past decade, underscores the deepening comprehensive strategicpartnership between the two nations. The visit occurs against the backdropof deteriorating Iran-US relations, tensions between Saudi Arabia and theUAE over Yemen, and ongoing political volatility in Gaza, providing aplatform for leaders to align on regional security and economic cooperation.
The Ministry of External Affairs in India highlighted that the discussionsbetween Prime Minister Modi and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed willfocus on charting new frontiers in their comprehensive strategicpartnership. Recent high-level exchanges have built strong momentum,including the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed binZayed Al Nahyan in September 2024 and Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan binMohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in April 2025. These interactions reflectthe intensity of bilateral engagement, with both countries prioritizingmutual interests in trade, investment, and security.
Bilateral trade between India and the UAE has grown substantially, reachingapproximately 100 billion dollars in recent years, with the ComprehensiveEconomic Partnership Agreement signed in 2022 playing a pivotal role. Indiaranks as the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, while the UAE is India’sthird-largest. Exports from India to the UAE exceeded 37 billion dollars inthe latest fiscal period, covering diverse sectors. The agreement, alongwith the Local Currency Settlement mechanism and Bilateral InvestmentTreaty, has facilitated smoother transactions and boosted non-oil tradediversification.
Energy cooperation forms a cornerstone of the relationship, with the UAEserving as a key supplier of crude oil to India, accounting for asignificant portion of imports. Long-term supply arrangements ensure energysecurity for India, while collaborative projects in renewable energy,including green hydrogen and solar initiatives, are gaining traction. TheUAE’s participation in India’s strategic petroleum reserves program furthersolidifies this strategic alignment, contributing to stability in globalenergy markets.
Defence and security ties have intensified under the comprehensiveframework, with regular joint military exercises and dialogues. The 13thJoint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting emphasized maritime security,training programs, and industrial collaboration. Both nations shareinterests in counter-terrorism and ensuring safe sea lanes in the IndianOcean and Persian Gulf. These efforts extend to technology exchange andjoint research, reflecting a mature partnership beyond traditional economicdomains.
The visit provides an opportunity to review progress across multiplesectors, including connectivity, technology, health, education, andpeople-to-people ties. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s December2025 visit to the UAE for the 16th Joint Commission Meeting and fifthStrategic Dialogue outlined new initiatives for 2026. Discussions coveredemerging areas like artificial intelligence and critical minerals, aligningwith India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit and BRICS presidency.
Regional and global issues of mutual interest are expected to featureprominently, given the current West Asia flux, including US pushes for Gazapeace initiatives. India and the UAE maintain high convergence onstability, economic growth, and multilateral cooperation. The presence ofover 4 million Indian expatriates in the UAE strengthens cultural bonds andcontributes significantly to both economies.
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This engagement reinforces the model of comprehensive cooperation betweenIndia and the UAE, built on consistent high-level commitment. The leadersare anticipated to explore avenues for further collaboration, ensuring thepartnership remains resilient amid geopolitical challenges.
Source:https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/40597/VisitofHisHighnessSheikhMohamedbinZayedAlNahyanPresidentoftheUnitedArabEmiratestoIndia=
Strategic Partnership
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