UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a three-hour visit to New Delhi. The two leaders reviewed the full scope of bilateral cooperation, reaffirming that the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has grown significantly stronger over the past decade. Here are the key takeaways from the visit.
توجهتُ إلى المطار لاستقبال أخي، صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن زايد آل نهيان، رئيس دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. تُجسّد زيارته الأهمية التي يوليها لعلاقات الصداقة المتينة بين الهند والإمارات. أتطلع إلى مباحثاتنا.@MohamedBinZayed pic.twitter.com/O5R1tOxjAU
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2026
A Traditional Welcome
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed United Arab Emirates President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the airport. As a gesture of goodwill, he gifted the UAE President a royal hand-carved wooden jhula, an intricately crafted traditional swing from Gujarat. He also gifted him a luxurious Pashmina shawl, elegantly placed in an ornate silver box, along with Kashmiri saffron; one of the region’s most prized agricultural treasures.
A 10-Year Energy Deal
One of the major outcomes of the visit was a long-term $3 billion LNG agreement, under which Abu Dhabi’s state-owned ADNOC Gas will supply 0.5 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually to India’s Hindustan Petroleum over the next decade. The landmark deal further cements energy cooperation between the two countries, reinforcing energy security and strengthening their long-term economic partnership.
Investment and Infrastructure Collaboration
They discussed a potential UAE partnership in the development of the Dholera Special Investment Region in Gujarat, a flagship project envisioned to include strategic infrastructure including energy, airport, pilot training facilities, railway connectivity and ports. The leaders also welcomed the establishment of UAE companies, DP World and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) in GIFT City in Gujarat. FAB’s GIFT City branch is set to play a pivotal role in connecting Indian corporates and investors with the bank’s expertise and extensive global network across the GCC and MENA regions.
$200 Billion Economic Target
The two leaders emphasized that since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022, bilateral trade has surged to $100 billion in the fiscal year 24-25. Encouraged by the strong momentum of the business communities in both countries, they agreed to work toward doubling bilateral trade, setting an ambitious target of $200 billion by 2032.
Cooperation in Science & AI
The two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in science, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging technologies. They also instructed their respective teams to explore the establishment of “Digital Embassies” between the UAE and India. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan further expressed his support for India’s AI Impact Summit in February 2026.
Academic Partnerships
The leaders emphasized education as a cornerstone of the India–UAE partnership. In light of the UAE’s opening of offshore campuses of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and the Indian Institute of Management–Ahmedabad, they encouraged the expansion of collaboration between educational institutions in both countries and student exchange programs.
In conclusion, the meeting reaffirmed the depth and strength of the India–UAE partnership, underscoring a shared vision built on mutual trust, economic ambition, and strategic alignment. The discussions focused on further enhancing cooperation across key sectors including trade, education, and technology, paving the way for a dynamic, future-ready partnership that delivers sustainable, long-term benefits for both nations.
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