UAE President’s 1.45‑Hour Visit to India Seals LNG Deal & Strategic Ties
UAE President India Visit 2026
In a rare diplomatic gesture, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan flew from Doha to Delhi on January 19, 2026, for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that lasted just 1 hour 45 minutes. Despite its brevity, the visit was packed with substance — from energy deals to defence cooperation — underscoring the depth of the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
A Short but Symbolic Visit
- Al Nahyan landed at AFS Palam, Delhi at 16:20 hrs.
- Meeting at Lok Kalyan Marg began at 16:45 hrs.
- Departure for Doha at 18:05 hrs.
- Total time in India: 1 hour 45 minutes.
PM Modi personally received the UAE President at the airport — a gesture reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties. Photos of the two leaders together in a car quickly went viral, highlighting the bonhomie.
LNG Deal: UAE Becomes India’s Second‑Largest Supplier
The highlight of the visit was a long‑term agreement for the supply of 0.5 million metric tons of LNG annually.
- With this deal, the UAE has become India’s second‑largest LNG supplier after Qatar.
- Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called the agreement “a major step in building on the comprehensive energy partnership.”
This strengthens India’s energy security at a time of global volatility and rising demand.
Food Security & Agriculture Cooperation
An MoU on food safety and technical requirements was also signed.
- Sets sanitary and quality parameters for trade.
- Facilitates Indian agricultural exports to the UAE.
- Benefits Indian farmers while contributing to food security in the Gulf.
Civil Nuclear & Defence Cooperation
Discussions also touched on:
- Civil nuclear cooperation, leveraging India’s Shanti Act for sustainable nuclear energy.
- A strategic defence pact to be sealed soon.
- Annual trade target set at $200 billion by 2032.
Two‑way trade already reached $84 billion in 2023–24, making the UAE one of India’s top partners.
Regional Context: Why the Visit Matters
The timing of the visit amid Middle East turmoil added weight:
- Iran: Deadly protests with over 5,000 reported killed.
- Israel–Gaza: Trump’s temporary pause in the war, but long‑term peace uncertain.
- Yemen: UAE–Saudi tensions after airstrikes on Mukalla port.
Analysts noted that such issues couldn’t be discussed over phone calls, making the short in‑person meeting crucial.
Expert Views
- Navroop Singh (analyst): “India–Israel–UAE–Greece Axis interesting if this were to happen.”
- Spyros Litsas (University of Macedonia): “The visit reflects the Big Picture and the newly shaped balance of power in the Middle East.”
- Derek J Grossman (security analyst): “India–UAE connectivity is becoming representative of India’s broader ties to the Middle East.”
Trending Queries Around UAE President’s Visit
- Why was the UAE President’s visit to India so short?
- What LNG deal was signed between India and UAE?
- How much trade do India and UAE plan by 2032?
- What defence pact is India signing with UAE?
- How does the visit fit into Middle East tensions?
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🔗 External Links
- Ministry of External Affairs – India
- UAE–India Relations – Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org in Bing)
- Liquefied Natural Gas – Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org in Bing)
- NPCI IMPS Official Page
- Reddit Discussions on India–UAE ties (reddit.com) (reddit.com in Bing)
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