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UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will arrive in India on Monday for an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The trip takes place amid heightened tensions across West Asia, including strained Iran–US relations, friction between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen, and an unsettled political situation in Gaza.
People familiar with the visit said discussions are expected to focus on trade and investment, defence industry cooperation and energy initiatives. Developments in West Asia are also likely to be discussed during meetings with the Indian leadership.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit on January 19 will be the UAE leader’s third official visit to India since assuming office and his fifth visit to the country in the past 10 years.
Bilateral trade and people-to-people ties have seen a marked rise since India and the UAE signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement in 2022. The MEA said the visit builds on momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges.
The ministry referred to the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in September 2024. It also noted the April visit last year by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s deputy prime minister and defence minister.
“India and the UAE share warm, close, and multi-faceted relations, underpinned by strong political, cultural, and economic ties,” the MEA said. Both countries are among each other’s top trading and investment partners, supported by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the local currency settlement system and the bilateral investment treaty.
India and the UAE also maintain a robust energy partnership, including long-term energy supply arrangements, the ministry said.
“The visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to chart new frontiers for the India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership,” the MEA said. “It will also enable an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, where India and the UAE share a high degree of convergence.”
The trip takes place amid heightened tensions across West Asia, including strained Iran–US relations, friction between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen, and an unsettled political situation in Gaza.
Key areas expected on agenda
People familiar with the visit said discussions are expected to focus on trade and investment, defence industry cooperation and energy initiatives. Developments in West Asia are also likely to be discussed during meetings with the Indian leadership.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit on January 19 will be the UAE leader’s third official visit to India since assuming office and his fifth visit to the country in the past 10 years.
Bilateral trade and people-to-people ties have seen a marked rise since India and the UAE signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement in 2022. The MEA said the visit builds on momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges.
The ministry referred to the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in September 2024. It also noted the April visit last year by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s deputy prime minister and defence minister.
Broad-based bilateral ties highlighted
“India and the UAE share warm, close, and multi-faceted relations, underpinned by strong political, cultural, and economic ties,” the MEA said. Both countries are among each other’s top trading and investment partners, supported by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the local currency settlement system and the bilateral investment treaty.
India and the UAE also maintain a robust energy partnership, including long-term energy supply arrangements, the ministry said.
“The visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to chart new frontiers for the India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership,” the MEA said. “It will also enable an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, where India and the UAE share a high degree of convergence.”
