UAE President Wraps Up Landmark India Visit with Economic Pledge

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan wrapped up a highly productive official visit to India on January 19, 2026, after intensive discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The brief yet impactful three-hour trip marked his third official visit as UAE President and fifth to India in the past decade, underscoring the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. PM Modi personally welcomed the UAE leader at the airport, highlighting the personal warmth and priority attached to bilateral ties. The leaders reviewed a broad spectrum of cooperation, from energy and defence to technology and innovation, setting ambitious targets for future collaboration.

Key outcomes included agreements to fast-track a strategic defence partnership and secure a 10-year LNG supply deal for 0.5 million tonnes annually, bolstering India’s energy security. The two sides also committed to doubling bilateral trade to $200 billion over the next six years, with invitations extended to UAE sovereign wealth funds for participation in India’s upcoming infrastructure funds. Discussions emphasized emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, where the UAE President expressed support for India’s AI Impact Summit in February 2026. Plans to explore ‘Digital Embassies’ under sovereign arrangements further highlighted forward-looking digital cooperation.

The visit reinforced generational continuity in relations, with recent trips by UAE’s Crown Princes to India noted as positive milestones. PM Modi gifted a traditional Gujarati wooden jhula (swing) symbolizing family bonding—aligning with UAE’s ‘Year of Family’ in 2026—and a luxurious Kashmir pashmina shawl, reflecting India’s cultural heritage. These gestures underscored mutual respect and shared values. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed thanked PM Modi for the gracious hospitality and reiterated the UAE’s dedication to joint progress.

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In a post-visit message, the UAE President expressed pleasure in the meeting and affirmed his commitment to fostering sustainable development and economic growth through bilateral efforts. He emphasized future-focused sectors for mutual benefit, signaling optimism for enhanced ties. The successful visit has been hailed by both governments as a step toward stronger comprehensive strategic partnership, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar escorting the leader to the airport.

This engagement comes amid robust high-level exchanges, including recent ministerial dialogues, and positions India-UAE relations as a model of dynamic cooperation in the region. As both nations pursue ambitious economic agendas, the visit paves the way for sustained collaboration in trade, energy, defence, and innovation, promising prosperity for their peoples.

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