UAE President’s India Visit Strengthens Defence & Nuclear Ties, Sets $200 Billion Trade Goal

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, during a brief three-hour visit to India. The two leaders pledged to expand bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032 and signed a letter of intent on strategic defence cooperation.

During the talks, both sides agreed on a wide range of bilateral initiatives, including cooperation in space, a $3 billion natural gas supply agreement, and UAE investments in Gujarat’s infrastructure, including the development of an international airport and the Dholera project. The leaders also advanced cooperation in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, tourism, civil nuclear energy, and reaffirmed their commitment to combating cross-border terrorism.

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X that it was a pleasure to host Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, adding that he was “deeply touched” by the UAE President’s brief visit to New Delhi. Modi said the discussions covered a wide range of issues aimed at further strengthening the multifaceted India-UAE partnership.

In a separate post on X, the UAE President said he was pleased to meet Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi to discuss opportunities to deepen the long-standing and historic ties between the two countries. He said India and the UAE remain committed to promoting sustainable development and economic growth, and will continue working together to advance cooperation in future-oriented sectors for mutual benefit.

The visiting delegation included several senior members of the UAE leadership. Among them were Sheikh Hamad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who also serves as UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. The delegation also included Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri described the UAE President’s visit as “extremely substantive,” noting that he was personally received at the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Misri said the gesture reflected the “extremely warm and close relationship” shared by the two leaders.

Briefing the media later, Misri said both leaders unequivocally condemned cross-border terrorism and called for the perpetrators, supporters and financiers of all terrorist acts to be brought to justice. He added that UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also expressed support for the success of India’s chairmanship of the BRICS grouping this year.

Mishri said “The UAE has always been a premier energy partner for India, It is now the second-largest supplier of LNG to India. A long-term agreement for the supply of 0.5 million metric tons of  LNG per annum was concluded during the visit.

An MOU on food safety and technical requirements was also signed, which will provide for sanitary and quality parameters to facilitate trade,  exchange, promotion of cooperation in the food sector,  and encourage food products and other agricultural product exports from India to the UAE. It will benefit the farmers of India and contribute to food security in the UAE. Mishri added in a press briefing.

The leaders discussed key regional developments, including the situation in Yemen, Gaza and Iran, and exchanged views on these issues during their meeting. Talks on trade and tariffs focused primarily on bilateral commerce, with both sides noting the positive impact of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and underscoring the need to further expand trade ties in the coming years.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar later went to the airport to see off Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the accompanying delegation, marking the close of the UAE leader’s brief but high-level visit to New Delhi.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of heightened churn in West Asia, including a sharp escalation in tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over Yemen, Abu Dhabi is backing the Southern Transitional Council, a separatist group that controls parts of southern Yemen, while Saudi Arabia supports the internationally recognised Presidential Leadership Council. For India, the UAE’s outreach assumes added significance at a time when New Delhi is engaging closely with Emirati leaders to assess developments in Gaza and understand the evolving regional dynamics, including the rivalry between key Gulf partners and continued instability in Gaza. 

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Shoaibur Rahman

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