ISLAMABAD: United Arab Emirates President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed binZayed Al Nahyan paid a brief yet significant working visit to New Delhi onJanuary 19, 2026, where he held high-level talks with Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi. The meeting, marked by a warm personal reception at theairport by the Indian leader, underscored the robust and enduring strategicpartnership between the two nations. Sheikh Mohamed expressed pleasure inthe discussions aimed at further strengthening deep-rooted historical ties,with a strong commitment to sustainable development and economic growth infuture-oriented sectors for mutual benefit.
The visit, lasting approximately two hours, represented Sheikh Mohamed’sthird official trip to India since assuming the presidency and his fifth inthe past decade. It built upon recent momentum from high-level exchanges,including visits by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in September 2024 and theCrown Prince of Dubai in April 2025. Prime Minister Modi personallywelcomed the UAE delegation at Palam Air Base, highlighting the exceptionalwarmth characterizing bilateral relations between the two leaders andcountries.
UAE President write on his Twitter/X Account “Today I was pleased to meetwith Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi in New Delhi to discussopportunities to further strengthen the deep-rooted and historical ties ofcooperation between our countries. Committed to fostering sustainabledevelopment and economic growth, the UAE and India will continue workingtogether to drive progress in future-focused sectors while achieving mutualbenefit for our nations and peoples.”
Economic cooperation formed the cornerstone of the discussions, reflectingthe transformative impact of the Comprehensive Economic PartnershipAgreement signed in 2022. Bilateral trade has surged impressively, reachingover $100 billion in the financial year 2024-25, with ambitious targets setto double this figure to $200 billion by 2032. This growth encompasses bothoil and non-oil sectors, driven by tariff reductions, enhanced marketaccess, and streamlined regulations that have benefited diverse industriesfrom engineering to pharmaceuticals and electronics.
Investment ties have equally flourished under the bilateral framework. TheUAE stands as the seventh-largest investor in India, with cumulativeforeign direct investment inflows amounting to approximately $22.84 billionfrom April 2000 to March 2025. The recent Bilateral Investment Treaty,effective from August 2024, has further reinforced investor confidence,encouraging flows into infrastructure, technology, renewable energy, andhealthcare sectors for long-term mutual prosperity.
Future-focused collaboration emerged as a key theme, with agreements toadvance cooperation in advanced nuclear technologies, including largereactors and small modular reactors. Both sides also emphasized renewableenergy initiatives, food security corridors, and digital connectivity,aligning with global priorities such as climate resilience and sustainabledevelopment. These efforts position the partnership as a model foraddressing contemporary challenges while fostering inclusive growth.
The leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutualinterest, including connectivity projects and counter-terrorism measures.Amid evolving dynamics in West Asia, the meeting reinforced sharedcommitments to stability and peace, with the UAE and India leveraging theirstrategic alignment in multilateral forums to promote broader security andeconomic objectives.
Read Top Stories
People-to-people links continue to strengthen the foundation of thisrelationship, supported by a large Indian expatriate community in the UAEcontributing significantly to both economies. Cultural and educationalexchanges, alongside visa facilitations, have enhanced mutual understandingand cooperation across generations.
The visit concluded with optimism for continued progress, as both leadersdirected their teams to explore innovative avenues such as digitalembassies and joint initiatives in artificial intelligence andinfrastructure. This engagement signals a forward-looking trajectory,ensuring the UAE-India partnership remains a pillar of stability andprosperity in an interconnected world.
Source:https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/01/19/president-sheikh-mohamed-arrives-in-india-to-begin-working-visit
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
ogimageimage-name