In a display of ironclad camaraderie, Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the red carpet for UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Delhi’s airport on January 19. ‘I came to pick up my brother,’ Modi quipped, highlighting the fraternal ties that define India-UAE relations.
The President’s lightning 1.5-hour visit—his third as head of state—comes at PM Modi’s behest. Set against a backdrop of international turbulence, including US-China-Russia frictions, Iran’s volatility, and UAE-Saudi tensions, this rendezvous carries extra weight.
Modi posted on X: ‘Welcoming my brother, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport. His visit shows the value he places on our strong friendship. Eager for our talks.’ The MEA outlined the schedule: bilateral discussions wrapping up with departure at 6:05 PM.
Expect conversations on booming trade (up 19.6% to $100.06 billion in FY24-25), investments, defense, energy, and world affairs. UAE ranks high among India’s trade allies, a bond fortified by years of collaboration. Recall Modi’s 2019 receipt of UAE’s Order of Zayed.
This isn’t just protocol; it’s a strategic pitstop. With global politics in disarray, the Modi-Nahyan dialogue could yield breakthroughs in energy deals, security pacts, and economic synergies. As the leaders confer, it signals India’s rising clout in West Asia and beyond.
