Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) at the airport in New Delhi on Monday, January 19, 2026. This special gesture underscores the close ties and deepening strategic partnership between India and the UAE. President MBZ's visit, made at the invitation of PM Modi, is a brief but high-level official engagement expected to last around two hours.
PM Modi expressed his sentiments on social media, stating, "Went to the airport to welcome my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. His visit illustrates the importance he attaches to a strong India-UAE friendship. Looking forward to our discussions". He also shared photographs of the two leaders together.
The visit builds upon the momentum of recent high-level exchanges between the two countries. These include the September 2024 visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the April 2025 visit of Dubai Crown Prince and UAE deputy prime minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Talks between PM Modi and Sheikh Mohamed are scheduled to focus on advancing the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Discussions will also include an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
This marks Sheikh Mohamed's third official visit to India since becoming the UAE President, and his fifth visit in the last decade, highlighting the frequent high-level engagement between the two nations.
The visit occurs amidst ongoing diplomatic activity concerning West Asia. The United States is reportedly preparing to advance to the next phase of its Gaza Peace Plan, which involves a proposed National Committee for the administration of Gaza. Prime Minister Modi has been invited by US President Donald Trump to be a part of the Gaza Peace Board. The broader situation in the Middle East, including Iran-US relations and tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen, are also likely to be discussed.
India and the UAE have witnessed a significant increase in bilateral trade and people-to-people connections since signing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2022. Trade and investment, defense industry cooperation, and energy initiatives are expected to be key topics during the discussions. The UAE is among the largest sources of crude oil and LPG for India, and India is entering into long-term contracts for LNG.
This visit is a strong indication of the deepening relationship between India and the UAE, with both nations committed to strengthening their strategic partnership across various sectors.
