A Historic Welcome: PM Modi Receives UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi

In a powerful display of diplomacy and personal rapport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), upon his arrival in New Delhi on Monday. The UAE President’s visit, though brief — lasting just under two hours — carried significant diplomatic weight, reinforcing the deepening strategic partnership between India and the UAE.

PM Modi presented the UAE President with a Royal Carved Wooden Jhula, an intricately crafted swing from Gujarat that holds a special place in many traditional Gujarati homes. (X) | Firstpost

A Warm Personal Greeting That Signifies Deep Ties

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was greeted at the Delhi airport by Prime Minister Modi in an unusually personal gesture that included a warm hug and exchange of pleasantries — a break from typical diplomatic formality. The embrace captured on camera quickly became symbolic of the close friendship between the two leaders and the broader bond between their nations. Modiji referred to the UAE President as his “brother” in a social media post, emphasizing the personal dimension of the relationship.

Despite the brevity of the visit, officials underscored that Sheikh Mohamed’s presence was purpose‑driven. While Al Nahyan flew from the Gulf specifically for meetings with Modiji and senior Indian officials, the short duration — roughly 1 hour 45 minutes — drew global attention to the visit’s diplomatic importance.

Talks Beyond the Protocol: Strategic and Regional Engagement

Although the visit was not long, it was laden with diplomatic focus. Both leaders used their meeting to reaffirm the resilience of India–UAE relations and discuss ways to elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership. Their discussions spanned bilateral cooperation, economic collaboration, defence industry engagement, and energy security — areas that have seen rapid expansion in recent years.

In addition to bilateral topics, Modiji and the UAE President also addressed regional developments in West Asia, including ongoing conflicts and humanitarian issues such as the situation in Gaza. Both emphasized the need for stability and sustainable peace in the region, reflecting shared concerns over geopolitical volatility.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by India and congratulated the nation on its upcoming Republic Day, affirming that the India–UAE partnership is both historic and a model for modern strategic ties.

Economic Partnership: A Foundation of Growth and Opportunity

India and the UAE share one of the fastest‑growing economic relationships in the region, underpinned by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2022. Since its implementation, the agreement has significantly boosted bilateral trade, diversified economic engagement, and encouraged mutual investment across sectors ranging from gems, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals to technology and digital services.

Under CEPA, tariffs on a large proportion of goods have been reduced or eliminated, giving India broader access to the UAE market and making the Emirates a crucial gateway for Indian exports to Africa and the Middle East. The UAE, in turn, has emerged as one of India’s largest trading partners and a major source of foreign direct investment.

Recent figures show that non‑oil trade between the two countries surged by over 30% in 2025, putting the ambitious target of $100 billion in non‑oil trade by 2030 well within reach. UAE enterprises are also increasingly eyeing Indian sectors such as digital technology, space, renewable energy, and infrastructure for future investments.

A Bilateral Relationship with Global Reach

Beyond trade and diplomacy, India and the UAE cooperate within multilateral frameworks including the G20 and BRICS. Such collaboration reinforces the global dimensions of their partnership, allowing both nations to address shared challenges like sustainable development, climate change, and technological innovation.

The frequency of high‑level visits — with this being Sheikh Mohamed’s third official visit since becoming President and fifth over the past decade — signals a sustained momentum in bilateral ties that extend far beyond formal agreements into impactful real‑world cooperation.

The MGMM Outlook

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm reception of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi highlights the increasingly close personal and diplomatic ties between India and the UAE. The unusually personal greeting, including a hug and friendly exchange, symbolized the depth of the relationship, while the brief but focused visit emphasized strategic intent. Discussions between the leaders covered a wide array of issues, including bilateral cooperation, defence engagement, energy security, and regional stability, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing challenges in West Asia and promoting sustainable peace.

Economic collaboration forms a cornerstone of the India–UAE partnership, strengthened significantly by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) of 2022. This agreement has expanded trade, facilitated mutual investments, and diversified economic engagement across multiple sectors such as technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and digital services. With non‑oil trade surging over 30% in 2025 and ambitious targets for 2030, the UAE continues to emerge as a crucial partner for India’s global trade and investment strategy. Beyond commerce, the two nations also cooperate in multilateral forums like the G20 and BRICS, reinforcing the global dimension of their partnership and signaling a sustained trajectory of high-level engagement.

(Sources: Livemint, Firstpost, Indian Express)