New Delhi: In a testament to the robust and rapidly evolving India-UAE relationship, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid a brief yet highly significant official visit to India on Monday, lasting under two hours, at the personal invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
PM Modi personally received the UAE leader at Delhi’s Palam Air Force Station with a warm embrace, underscoring the special warmth in bilateral ties. The two leaders then travelled together to the Prime Minister’s residence for restricted and delegation-level talks.
The discussions covered a wide array of mutual interests, including trade and investment, energy security, nuclear energy cooperation, artificial intelligence, defence partnerships, counter-terrorism, and regional stability amid ongoing West Asian tensions. A key highlight was the signing of a Letter of Intent to advance a framework agreement for a Strategic Defence Partnership.
The visit builds on frequent high-level engagements and marks Sheikh Mohamed’s third official trip to India as UAE President — and his fifth in the past decade — reflecting sustained momentum in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
PM Modi presented thoughtful gifts to his counterpart: a royal carved wooden jhula (swing) from Gujarat and a Pashmina shawl from Kashmir encased in an ornate silver box from Telangana, symbolising cultural affinity.
Though short, the engagement reinforced commitments to elevate bilateral cooperation, including ambitious trade targets and collaboration in emerging sectors, further cementing India and the UAE as key partners in a dynamic global landscape.