UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held high-level talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on January 19, 2026, marking a significant moment in the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. The visit underscored the growing political, economic, and security alignment between India and the United Arab Emirates amid shifting regional and global dynamics.

Prime Minister Modi personally received President Mohamed bin Zayed upon his arrival, a gesture reflecting the close personal rapport between the two leaders and the importance both governments place on the relationship. Discussions focused on expanding bilateral trade, strengthening defense cooperation, enhancing energy security, and advancing emerging technology collaboration.

A key topic during the talks was progress toward finalizing a long-term liquefied natural gas agreement, aimed at bolstering India’s energy supply while reinforcing the UAE’s role as a reliable strategic energy partner. The leaders also reviewed ongoing cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2023, which has driven rapid growth in trade and investment between the two countries.

The UAE expressed strong support for India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit scheduled for February 2026, highlighting shared interest in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and innovation-driven economic growth. Technology cooperation has emerged as a central pillar of the relationship, alongside traditional sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and defense.

India and the UAE have seen mutual investments and trade volumes exceed $100 billion in recent years, reflecting the depth of economic integration and long-term strategic trust. Both sides emphasized the importance of stability in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East regions, signaling continued coordination on regional security and global governance issues.

The meeting reaffirmed the India–UAE relationship as one of the most dynamic partnerships in the region, built on economic complementarity, political trust, and shared strategic interests. As regional alignments evolve, the talks in New Delhi highlighted the intent of both nations to expand cooperation across defense, technology, and energy while reinforcing their role as key partners on the global stage.