New Delhi erupted in diplomatic warmth on January 19 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport. In a touching gesture, PM Modi described the visiting leader as ‘my brother,’ underscoring the deep personal and strategic bonds between India and the UAE.
This marks Sheikh Mohamed’s third official visit to India as President and his fifth trip in the last decade. Arriving on PM Modi’s invitation, the UAE leader’s whirlwind 90-minute stopover is packed with significance amid global uncertainties. From US tensions with China and Russia over Venezuela and Greenland to instability in Iran and strains between UAE and Saudi Arabia, the timing of this meet is impeccable.
PM Modi shared his excitement on X, stating, ‘I went to the airport to welcome my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. This visit reflects the importance he attaches to the strong friendship between India and UAE. I look forward to our discussions.’
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the brief itinerary: talks followed by departure at 6:05 PM. Agenda items span trade, investment, defense cooperation, energy security, and pressing global issues. Bilateral trade has surged 19.6% to over $100 billion in FY 2024-25, cementing UAE as a top partner for India.
Over recent years, ties have deepened across sectors. In 2019, UAE honored PM Modi with its highest civilian award, the Order of Zayed. This visit reinforces that trajectory, promising fresh momentum in an era of geopolitical flux. As leaders huddle, eyes worldwide turn to potential outcomes that could reshape regional dynamics.