New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at the airport to receive United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan here on Monday.
The two leaders drove off from the airport in Modi’s car.
As per reports, Sheikh Al Nahyan’s visit will be a brief one.
After arriving in the Indian Capital around 4.20 pm, the UAE President is holding talks with PM Modi. He is expected to depart tonight itself.
“Went to the airport to welcome my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. His visit illustrates the importance he attaches to a strong India-UAE friendship. Looking forward to our discussions,” Modi posted on X along with pictures with the UAE President.
Went to the airport to welcome my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. His visit illustrates the importance he attaches to a strong India-UAE friendship. Looking forward to our discussions.@MohamedBinZayed pic.twitter.com/Os3FRvVrBc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2026
#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the airport.
(Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/QnVSsQMIFj
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2026
It’s not even a half-day visit, lasting a few hours. That has led to speculation in the political corridors over the agenda of the meeting between the two leaders.
The hurricane visit comes amid the volatile situation in Middle East, following a sharp decline in Iran-US ties, simmering tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen issue, and the political scenario in Gaza.
While Modi and Sheikh Al Nahyan will discuss bilateral issues, and explore new frontiers in further boosting the strategic partnership, they are also expected to deliberate on the delicate situation on multiple front in the Middle East.
According to people familiar with the UAE President’s visit, trade and investment, defence industry cooperation and energy initiatives are likely to be on the agenda of his talks with Modi, news agency PTI reported.
This is the UAE President’s third official visit to India since assuming charge of the top office, and his fifth to the country over the last 10 years.
The visit will build on the momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges, including the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in September 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
“India and the UAE share warm, close, and multi-faceted relations, underpinned by strong political, cultural, and economic ties,” MEA said.
India and the UAE are among each other’s top trading and investment partners, having a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), local currency-settlement system and bilateral investment treaty.
