In a significant diplomatic engagement, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan commenced an official state visit to India on January 19, 2026, receiving a ceremonial welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Palam Air Base in New Delhi. The high-level discussions marked a pivotal moment in bilateral relations, with both leaders reviewing the substantial progress achieved under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.
The agenda encompassed extensive cooperation across economic, technological, and security domains, with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, space exploration, renewable energy, and food security initiatives. Both nations demonstrated commitment to doubling bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032, reflecting their shared growth ambitions and economic complementarity.
A notable outcome included the announcement of ‘House of India,’ a cultural complex in Abu Dhabi featuring museum facilities dedicated to Indian art, heritage, and archaeological exhibits. This institution symbolizes the deepening cultural connectivity between the nations alongside their strategic economic alignment.
The diplomatic dialogue extended to regional stability concerns, with the UAE leadership emphasizing peaceful conflict resolution through diplomatic channels in South Asia. President Sheikh Mohamed expressed support for India’s upcoming BRICS chairmanship and the February 2026 India AI Impact Summit, recognizing New Delhi’s growing influence in multilateral forums.
Substantive agreements emerged from the summit, including:
– Space collaboration between IN-SPACE and UAE Space Agency
– Strategic defense partnership framework
– Energy cooperation through HPCL-ADNOC Gas sales agreement
– Food safety standards harmonization
– Supercomputing cluster development in India
– Digital infrastructure initiatives including potential ‘Digital Embassies’
– Financial sector expansion through First Abu Dhabi Bank and DP World operations in GIFT City
– Civil nuclear cooperation advancement
– Youth exchange program establishment