New Delhi: UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrives in India today on an official visit that is being closely watched amid rising tensions in the Gulf and an increasingly assertive US presence. The geopolitical stakes are high, with deteriorating Iran-US relations, mounting friction between Saudi Arabia and UAE over Yemen, and political instability in Gaza. In this scenario, the India-UAE partnership is under global scrutiny.
This marks Sheikh Nahyan’s third visit to India as President and his fifth visit in the past decade. The UAE Embassy in India described the visit as a milestone in the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, providing an opportunity for President Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to chart new avenues for cooperation.
Why the UAE President is Visiting India
The visit highlights the deepening ties between the two countries. Recent engagements include Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to Abu Dhabi in September 2024 and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s visit in April 2025. These trips reflect India-UAE relations that are close, multi-dimensional, and strategic.
Strategic Importance of the Visit
President Nahyan’s visit emphasizes strong political, cultural, and economic relations. India and the UAE are among each other’s top trade and investment partners, bolstered by agreements such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Local Currency Settlement (LCS) mechanism, and bilateral investment treaties. Cooperation in the energy sector remains robust, including long-term energy supply agreements.
India-UAE Ties Strengthened Over Five Years
According to the Indian Embassy, the visit offers both leaders an opportunity to explore new avenues under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Sheikh Nahyan’s global engagements in recent years include participation in the G20 Leaders’ Summit (September 2023), the Virtual Global South Summit (November 2023), and serving as the chief guest at the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (January 2024). Over the past five years, the India-UAE relationship has grown significantly stronger, spanning trade, investment, culture, and strategic cooperation.
As the Gulf’s “sultan” steps into Delhi today, all eyes are on billion-dollar deals, strategic energy discussions, and a partnership that challenges global financial norms—an alliance that promises to leave opposition parties scrambling to respond.
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