UAE PRESIDENT VISITS INDIA

UAE PRESIDENT VISITS INDIA

Context and background of the visit

• Against the backdrop of heightened tensions in West Asia and US President Donald Trump’s push for a new ‘Board of Peace for Gaza’, India hosted the President of the United Arab Emirates on January 19, 2026.
• The President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, visited India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the visit was aimed at strengthening the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and exchanging views on key regional and global developments.

WHY THE VISIT IS IMPORTANT?

• The visit began 2 days after the UAE welcomed President Trump’s announcement on forming the ‘Board of Peace for Gaza’.
• India has also received an invitation to join this initiative but did not join, increasing the diplomatic relevance of the visit.

DIPLOMATIC SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIA & THE UAE

• According to the MEA, the visit provided an opportunity for the two leaders to chart new frontiers of cooperation.
• India and the UAE share a high degree of convergence on regional peace, stability, counter-terrorism, and multilateral cooperation.
• The UAE is one of India’s top trading partners, and bilateral engagement has intensified in recent years across economic, political, and strategic domains.

FREQUENCY & CONTINUITY OF HIGH LEVEL ENGAGEMENT

• This visit marked the fifth visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in the last ten years.
• It was his 3rd official visit as President of the UAE, highlighting sustained leadership-level engagement.
• Both leaders welcomed recent visits to India by:
  • Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
  • Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
• These visits were described as symbols of generational continuity in the India–UAE relationship.

REVIEW OF THE COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

• Prime Minister Modi and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reviewed the entire scope of bilateral cooperation.
• They agreed that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2017, has grown steadily stronger over the past decade.
• Both sides endorsed outcomes of:
  • The 13th High-Level Task Force on Investments (September 2025)
  • The 16th India–UAE Joint Commission Meeting
  • The 5th India–UAE Strategic Dialogue (December 2025)

TRADE & ECONOMIC COOPERATION

• The leaders welcomed the strong growth in trade following the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2022.
• Bilateral trade reached USD 100 billion in FY 2024–25, reflecting rapid expansion.
• Both sides agreed to double bilateral trade to USD 200 billion by 2032, driven by business confidence and policy support.

MSME FOCUSSED INITIATIVE

• The leaders directed officials to strengthen cooperation between Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• They emphasised early implementation of:
  • Bharat Mart
  • Virtual Trade Corridor
  • Bharat–Africa Setu
• These initiatives aim to promote MSME products across West Asia, Africa, and Eurasia.

INVESTMENT COOPERATION & INFRA DEVELOPMENT

• The leaders expressed satisfaction with the Bilateral Investment Treaty signed in 2024, which boosted cross-sector investments.
• Discussions were welcomed on a potential UAE partnership in developing the Special Investment Region at Dholera, Gujarat.
• The proposed partnership includes:
  • An international airport
  • Pilot training school
  • Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility
  • A greenfield port
  • Smart urban township
  • Railway and energy infrastructure
• Prime Minister Modi invited UAE sovereign wealth funds to participate in the second NIIF Infrastructure Fund, scheduled for launch in 2026.

GIFT CITY CORPORATION

• The leaders welcomed:
  • DP World
  • First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) establishing branches in GIFT City, Gujarat.
• FAB’s presence will connect Indian companies with GCC and MENA markets.

FOOD SECURITY PARTNERSHIP

• Both sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to cooperation in food security, recognising its strategic importance.
• They highlighted the role of:
  • Public–private partnerships
  • Innovation
  • Knowledge sharing
• The aim is to ensure resilient supply chains and sustainable agriculture aligned with national priorities.

COOPERATION IN SPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• The leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in the space sector.
• They welcomed an understanding to collaborate on a joint initiative for commercialisation of space technologies.
• Objectives include:
  • Joint India–UAE space missions
  • Expansion of global commercial space services
  • Creation of high-skilled jobs and start-ups
  • Development of a strong industrial base

AI & DIGITAL COOPERATION

• The leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
• They welcomed collaboration on establishing a supercomputing cluster in India.
• Both sides agreed to explore cooperation in setting up data centres in India.
• The leaders directed teams to explore the concept of ‘Digital Embassies’, under mutually recognised sovereignty arrangements.
• President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed expressed full support for the AI Impact Summit, to be hosted by India in February 2026.

ENERGY & NUCLEAR COOPERATION

• The leaders expressed satisfaction with the deep energy partnership, highlighting the UAE’s role in India’s energy security.
• They welcomed the signing of a 10-year LNG supply agreement between:
  • Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
  • ADNOC Gas
• Under the agreement, 5 million tonnes per year of LNG will be supplied starting in 2028.
• The leaders welcomed India’s SHANTI law, which opens new opportunities for civil nuclear cooperation.
• They agreed to explore cooperation in:
  • Large nuclear reactors
  • Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
  • Advanced reactor systems
  • Nuclear safety and plant operations

FINANCIAL SECTOR & PAYMENT SYSTEMS

• Both sides appreciated the deepening financial cooperation.
• They directed teams to work towards interlinking national payment platforms, enabling faster and cheaper cross-border payments.

CULTURAL HERITAGE & PEOPLE TO PEOPLE TIES

• Prime Minister Modi welcomed the UAE’s decision to provide artefacts for the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal.
• The leaders decided to establish a ‘House of India’ in Abu Dhabi as a symbol of friendship.
• Youth exchanges and cultural programmes will continue to strengthen people-to-people ties.

EDUCATION & KNOWLEDGE PARTNERSHIP

• Education was identified as a core pillar of the partnership.
• Building on offshore campuses of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad in the UAE, the leaders encouraged:
  • Stronger university partnerships
  • Expanded student exchanges
• Cooperation will include:
  • Innovation and Tinkering Labs
  • Integration of India’s DigiLocker with UAE platforms for academic document authentication
• This will improve ease of living and economic opportunities.

DEFENCE, SECURITY & COUNTER TERRORISM COOPERATION

• Both sides reaffirmed respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and strategic autonomy.
• Defence and security cooperation was described as a core pillar of the partnership.
• The leaders welcomed:
  • Recent visits by Service Chiefs
  • Successful bilateral military exercises
• They welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent for a Strategic Defence Partnership.
• Both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism.
• They agreed to continue cooperation under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

REGIONAL, MULTILATERAL & GLOBAL COOPERATION

• The leaders recalled the launch of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) at the G20 Summit in Delhi in 2023.
• They exchanged views on regional and global issues and underlined their shared interest in peace and stability
• The UAE conveyed full support for India’s BRICS Chairmanship in 2026.
• India expressed support for the 2026 UN Water Conference, to be co-hosted by the UAE.

COOPERATION IN POLAR SCIENCE

• Both sides highlighted collaboration in polar research, including joint expeditions.
• They agreed to expand cooperation through:
  • Coordinated research planning
  • Institutional collaboration
• This cooperation supports climate science and evidence-based climate action.

CONCLUSION

The visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in January 2026 significantly strengthened the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The discussions covered trade, energy, technology, defence, food security, AI, education, and global diplomacy, while also aligning positions on West Asia and multilateral cooperation. The visit highlighted the growing strategic depth of India–UAE relations and their shared vision for regional stability and global engagement.

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