Why This Monday Matters for Indian Diplomacy: UAE President’s Visit, Poland Talks, Gaza Invite

India’s diplomatic calendar is set for a busy Monday (January 20) as the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrives on an official visit, while Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi. The twin engagements underline New Delhi's expanding diplomatic footprint across West Asia and Europe at a time of heightened geopolitical churn. In a parallel diplomatic development, the United States has extended an invitation to India to join a proposed international ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza, adding another layer to New Delhi’s increasingly active global role.

UAE President Al Nahyan in India - What's on Agenda

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will arrive in India on Monday. At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the UAE president will pay an official visit to India on Jan. 19, the Ministry of External Affairs said. It will be Al Nahyan’s third official visit to India since assuming office and his fifth trip to the country over the past decade. The visit is likely to be focused on discussing ways to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the Indian government said.

President HH Sheikh @MohamedBinZayed of UAE will soon be arriving in India.🎥 Watch highlights

of the strong, strategic and multifaceted India- UAE relations ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Ff4SmnKJS9

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 18, 2026

The visit comes at a time of heightened uncertainty in the Middle East, marked by a sharp downturn in relations between Iran and the United States, ongoing instability in Gaza and regional tensions linked to Yemen.

Poland's Deputy PM to Hold Talks With EAM Jaishankar

Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski arrived in New Delhi on Monday after attending the Jaipur Literature Festival in Rajasthan. The Polish Deputy PM will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss the India-Poland Strategic Partnership. The meeting comes when Russia and Ukraine negotiate a US-backed ceasefire agreement. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "A warm welcome to New Delhi. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski of Poland arrived in New Delhi today. His engagements in New Delhi are focused on furthering the India-Poland Strategic Partnership."

US Invites India to be Part of Gaza's 'Board of Peace'

In another major diplomatic development, the United States has invited India to join a proposed international 'Board of Peace' to oversee the rebuilding and reconstruction in Gaza. US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, shared President Donald Trump's invitation letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be a part of the Gaza Board of Peace.

In the letter, Trump said, "It is my Great Honor to invite you, as Prime Minister of the Republic of India, to join me in a critically historic and Magnificent effort to solidify Peace in the Middle East and, at the same time, to embark on a bold new approach to resolving Global Conflict! "In his letter, Trump referred to his September 29 announcement of a Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict.