UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is scheduled to arrive in India today, January 19, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This official visit underscores the strengthening strategic partnership between the two nations.

This marks Sheikh Mohamed's third official visit to India since assuming office and his fifth in the last decade, highlighting the consistent high-level engagement between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi. The visit builds upon the momentum from previous high-profile exchanges, including the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit in September 2024, and the visit of UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in April 2025.

The agenda for the visit includes discussions focused on bolstering the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE. Key areas of focus will likely include trade and investment, defense industry cooperation, and energy initiatives. Both leaders are also expected to discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest, given the high degree of strategic alignment between the two countries. The current volatile situation in the Middle East, stemming from strained Iran-US relations, tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen, and the political climate in Gaza, may also be addressed.

India and the UAE share close and multifaceted relations, built upon strong political, cultural, and economic ties. They are each other's primary trade and investment partners, a relationship strengthened by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) framework, and the Bilateral Investment Treaty. Furthermore, a robust energy partnership exists between the two countries, including long-term energy supply arrangements.

Both nations actively collaborate within the United Nations and participate in multilateral groups like BRICS, I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA), and the UAE-France-India (UFI) Trilateral. The UAE also served as a Guest Country during the G20 Summit hosted under India's leadership.

Diplomatic relations between India and the UAE were established in 1972. The UAE opened its embassy in India that year, while India's embassy in the UAE began operations in 1973.