Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the UAE on May 15, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy described the Indian leader as a “true treasure” for the leadership and people of the Emirates, while expressing confidence that bilateral ties are set to reach “new mountain tops” in trade, technology and strategic cooperation.&nbsp;Speaking to news agency ANI, Al Hashimy said Modi’s visit would further strengthen the regular high-level engagements between the two countries following the UAE President’s visit to India in January and the Crown Prince’s participation in the AI Summit in February.&nbsp;“The future cannot be without a strong India and a strong UAE,” she said, adding that upcoming exchanges between the two nations reflected “a trajectory that grows from strength to strength”.&nbsp;<h2>UAE eyes $200 billion trade target with India</h2>Highlighting the rapid growth in economic ties, the UAE minister said both countries had already surpassed the initial $100 billion trade target set under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and are now aiming for $200 billion in bilateral trade.&nbsp;“Every time we think we have reached a mountain top, we discover there is another mountain top to reach,” Al Hashimy said.&nbsp;She added that cooperation between “Team India and Team UAE” was now expanding into frontier sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, supercomputing and connectivity initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-order-200-boeing-jets-trump-says-xi-offered-to-broker-peace-with-iran-1778784103773">China to order 200 Boeing jets; Trump says Xi offered to broker peace with Iran</a>&nbsp;The minister also pointed to the deep people-to-people relationship between the two countries and praised the contribution of the Indian diaspora in the UAE.&nbsp;“There are close to four and a half million Indians who live amongst us and with us, and so we constantly learn from each other, and we are better because of each other as well,” she said.<h2>Strait of Hormuz, energy security likely to feature in talks</h2>Addressing the ongoing West Asia crisis, the UAE minister said energy had been “weaponised” amid disruptions linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, an issue she confirmed would feature prominently in tomorrow's bilateral conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp;She noted that supply concerns caused by the regional conflict had affected India and several other countries, adding that the UAE’s recent decision to exit OPEC was aimed at acting as a “responsible global player” by maximising production during a period of uncertainty.&nbsp;&nbsp;Prime Minister Modi is set to begin a five-nation tour from May 15 to 20, covering the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.

India and the UAE have intensified diplomatic engagement through a series of high-level visits, including two trips by EAM S Jaishankar since December, along with visits by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince earlier this year.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the UAE on May 15, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy described the Indian leader as a “true treasure” for the leadership and people of the Emirates, while expressing confidence that bilateral ties are set to reach “new mountain tops” in trade, technology and strategic cooperation. Speaking to news agency ANI, Al Hashimy said Modi’s visit would further strengthen the regular high-level engagements between the two countries following the UAE President’s visit to India in January and the Crown Prince’s participation in the AI Summit in February. “The future cannot be without a strong India and a strong UAE,” she said, adding that upcoming exchanges between the two nations reflected “a trajectory that grows from strength to strength”. UAE eyes $200 billion trade target with India Highlighting the rapid growth in economic ties, the UAE minister said both countries had already surpassed the initial $100 billion trade target set under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and are now aiming for $200 billion in bilateral trade. “Every time we think we have reached a mountain top, we discover there is another mountain top to reach,” Al Hashimy said. She added that cooperation between “Team India and Team UAE” was now expanding into frontier sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, supercomputing and connectivity initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Also Read: China to order 200 Boeing jets; Trump says Xi offered to broker peace with Iran The minister also pointed to the deep people-to-people relationship between the two countries and praised the contribution of the Indian diaspora in the UAE. “There are close to four and a half million Indians who live amongst us and with us, and so we constantly learn from each other, and we are better because of each other as well,” she said. Strait of Hormuz, energy security likely to feature in talks Addressing the ongoing West Asia crisis, the UAE minister said energy had been “weaponised” amid disruptions linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, an issue she confirmed would feature prominently in tomorrow's bilateral conversations. She noted that supply concerns caused by the regional conflict had affected India and several other countries, adding that the UAE’s recent decision to exit OPEC was aimed at acting as a “responsible global player” by maximising production during a period of uncertainty. Prime Minister Modi is set to begin a five-nation tour from May 15 to 20, covering the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.

India and the UAE have intensified diplomatic engagement through a series of high-level visits, including two trips by EAM S Jaishankar since December, along with visits by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince earlier this year.

‘PM Modi a true treasure’: UAE minister says targeting $200 bn trade with India

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in New Delhi on Monday (January 19) for an official visit to India and was personally received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport. The visit comes at a time of escalating tensions in West Asia and reflects the growing strategic engagement between India and the United Arab Emirates. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit is being held at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi and builds on the momentum created by frequent high-level interactions between the two leaders.&nbsp;Sharing details on social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi said the UAE President’s visit highlights the importance he places on strengthening the India-UAE partnership. “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,” the Prime Minister wrote.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-pm-modi-russia-president-vladimir-putin-invited-to-join-trump-s-gaza-board-of-peace-1768822239920">After PM Narendra Modi, Russia President Vladimir Putin invited to join Donald Trump's Gaza ‘Board of Peace’</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">توجهتُ إلى المطار لاستقبال أخي، صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن زايد آل نهيان، رئيس دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. تُجسّد زيارته الأهمية التي يوليها لعلاقات الصداقة المتينة بين الهند والإمارات. أتطلع إلى مباحثاتنا.<a href="https://twitter.com/MohamedBinZayed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MohamedBinZayed</a> <a href="https://t.co/O5R1tOxjAU">pic.twitter.com/O5R1tOxjAU</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/2013212282743116074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s stay in India is expected to last around two hours, during which he will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi later in the evening. This marks the UAE President’s third official visit to India since taking office and his fifth trip to the country over the past decade, underlining the deepening ties between the two countries.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gemini-ai-powers-new-gmail-features-raising-privacy-concerns-1768819865087/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/gemini-ai-powers-new-gmail-features-raising-privacy-concerns-1768819865087/embed</a>&nbsp;The Ministry of External Affairs said that the visit strengthens ongoing engagement between the two countries, following several recent high-level talks. These include the September 2024 visit of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and the April 2025 visit of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence as well as Crown Prince of Dubai.

UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrives in Delhi, holds talks with PM Narendra Modi amid regional tensions

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in New Delhi on Monday (January 19) for an official visit to India and was personally received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport. The visit comes at a time of escalating tensions in West Asia and reflects the growing strategic engagement between India and the United Arab Emirates. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit is being held at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi and builds on the momentum created by frequent high-level interactions between the two leaders. Sharing details on social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi said the UAE President’s visit highlights the importance he places on strengthening the India-UAE partnership. “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,” the Prime Minister wrote. Also Read: After PM Narendra Modi, Russia President Vladimir Putin invited to join Donald Trump's Gaza ‘Board of Peace’

UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed arrived in New Delhi for a brief official visit, meeting PM Narendra Modi to boost India-UAE ties amid regional tensions

India and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed their close strategic and cultural ties at a glittering reception in the Indian capital to mark the UAE’s 54th National Day, known as Eid Al Etihad. Eid Al Etihad, the UAE's National Day or "Festival of the Union," commemorates the historic unification of seven emirates into the UAE on December 2, 1971.&nbsp;UAE Ambassador Dr Abdulnasser Alshaali told diplomats, business leaders and others gathered in Delhi that the relationship between the two countries was “grounded in trust, friendship and shared ambition”, pointing to deepening economic links and growing people-to-people contacts.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-russia-summit-2025-operation-sindoor-highlights-strength-of-strategic-military-partnership-ahead-of-putin-s-visit-to-india-1764591622427">India-Russia Summit 2025: Operation Sindoor highlights strength of strategic military partnership ahead of Putin's visit to India</a>&nbsp;“Trust sits at the heart of the relationship; that is the foundation of the relationship,” Dr Alshaali said. He revealed plans for a new “India House” cultural centre in Abu Dhabi, describing it as a platform to “showcase India’s cultural excellence at the heart of our capital”.&nbsp;&nbsp;The ambassador paid tribute to the millions of Indian nationals living in the UAE, saying their contribution “has been woven into our national story”. “Just as Indians feel at home in the UAE, I meet many Emiratis who feel at home in India, the comfort, familiarity of India,” he added. “Few countries are connected to the UAE’s story, to its progress, as India has been and continues to be.”&nbsp;India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the chief guest at the event in Delhi, described the UAE as “an oasis in the desert, a global hub for innovation, tolerance and economic excellence”.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-israeli-president-pardon-benjamin-netanyahu-in-corruption-cases-here-is-what-herzog-said-gaza-palestine-trump-israel-lebonan-herzog-1764595138545">Will Israeli president pardon Benjamin Netanyahu in corruption cases? Here is what Herzog said</a>&nbsp;Mr Goyal said the UAE “doesn’t wait for the future, it designs the future”, and stressed centuries-old ties. “We have been part of each other’s histories for centuries. This relationship reflects true economic excellence,” he told the audience.&nbsp;He highlighted the personal chemistry between the leaderships, noting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited the UAE seven times since 2014 , an unusually high number that reflects the priority both sides attach to the partnership.&nbsp;Bilateral trade has surged since the two countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2022, with non-oil trade reaching nearly $50bn in the last financial year. Indian firms are also involved in major UAE infrastructure projects, while Emirati sovereign funds have invested billions of dollars in Indian technology, renewable energy and logistics. Focus is also on start-ups.&nbsp;The UAE-India Startup Series, launched under CEPA, selects 5 high-potential Indian startups annually for a fully-sponsored soft-landing in the UAE with investors, and market access. The 2025 edition received 10,000+ applications, with winners starting their UAE journey in January 2026.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the chief guest at the event in Delhi, described the UAE as ‘an oasis in the desert, a global hub for innovation, tolerance and economic excellence’. 

India and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed their close strategic and cultural ties at a glittering reception in the Indian capital to mark the UAE’s 54th National Day, known as Eid Al Etihad. Eid Al Etihad, the UAE's National Day or "Festival of the Union," commemorates the historic unification of seven emirates into the UAE on December 2, 1971. UAE Ambassador Dr Abdulnasser Alshaali told diplomats, business leaders and others gathered in Delhi that the relationship between the two countries was “grounded in trust, friendship and shared ambition”, pointing to deepening economic links and growing people-to-people contacts. Also Read: India-Russia Summit 2025: Operation Sindoor highlights strength of strategic military partnership ahead of Putin's visit to India “Trust sits at the heart of the relationship; that is the foundation of the relationship,” Dr Alshaali said. He revealed plans for a new “India House” cultural centre in Abu Dhabi, describing it as a platform to “showcase India’s cultural excellence at the heart of our capital”. The ambassador paid tribute to the millions of Indian nationals living in the UAE, saying their contribution “has been woven into our national story”. “Just as Indians feel at home in the UAE, I meet many Emiratis who feel at home in India, the comfort, familiarity of India,” he added. “Few countries are connected to the UAE’s story, to its progress, as India has been and continues to be.” India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the chief guest at the event in Delhi, described the UAE as “an oasis in the desert, a global hub for innovation, tolerance and economic excellence”. Also Read: Will Israeli president pardon Benjamin Netanyahu in corruption cases? Here is what Herzog said Mr Goyal said the UAE “doesn’t wait for the future, it designs the future”, and stressed centuries-old ties. “We have been part of each other’s histories for centuries. This relationship reflects true economic excellence,” he told the audience. He highlighted the personal chemistry between the leaderships, noting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited the UAE seven times since 2014 , an unusually high number that reflects the priority both sides attach to the partnership. Bilateral trade has surged since the two countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2022, with non-oil trade reaching nearly $50bn in the last financial year. Indian firms are also involved in major UAE infrastructure projects, while Emirati sovereign funds have invested billions of dollars in Indian technology, renewable energy and logistics. Focus is also on start-ups. The UAE-India Startup Series, launched under CEPA, selects 5 high-potential Indian startups annually for a fully-sponsored soft-landing in the UAE with investors, and market access. The 2025 edition received 10,000+ applications, with winners starting their UAE journey in January 2026.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the chief guest at the event in Delhi, described the UAE as ‘an oasis in the desert, a global hub for innovation, tolerance and economic excellence’.&nbsp;

India and UAE hail ‘natural partnership’ at Eid Al Etihad celebrations in Delhi

US President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Thursday with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, the White House said in a statement.

The two leaders discussed Washington`s "continued support for the United Arab Emirates` national defense, strengthening alliances in the region, and the impact of the Administration’s crippling sanctions on Iran," the statement said.

"They also spoke about UAE’s contributions to the global energy markets as a reliable supplier of oil," it said.

US President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Thursday with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, the White House said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Thursday with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, the White House said in a statement. The two leaders discussed Washington`s "continued support for the United Arab Emirates` national defense, strengthening alliances in the region, and the impact of the Administration’s crippling sanctions on Iran," the statement said. "They also spoke about UAE’s contributions to the global energy markets as a reliable supplier of oil," it said.

Trump spoke with Abu Dhabi crown prince on Thursday: White House