In the middle of all the chaos brewing in West Asia right now, something pretty special just happened between India and the UAE. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (often called MBZ) made a super quick official visit to New Delhi on January 19, 2026 – we’re talking just about 3 hours on the ground – and PM Narendra Modi rolled out the red carpet in a way that’s got everyone talking.
Picture this: Instead of waiting at his residence or sending officials, PM Modi himself headed to the airport to personally welcome his “brother,” as he put it on X. The two leaders shared a warm hug right there on the tarmac, hopped into the same car, and drove off together. It’s not every day a prime minister breaks protocol like that for an airport pickup – it really shows how close these two have become over the years. Modi even posted pics and called it a sign of the strong friendship between India and the UAE.
The visit was short but packed. They held talks at Modi’s official address on Lok Kalyan Marg – first one-on-one, then with deputation. Several award got inked, including a big $3 billion LNG deal to upraise energy security, steps on nuclear cooperation, investments in India’s Dholera project, and a substructure for strategic defence partnership. It’s clear both sides are doubling down on trade, energy, and security ties.
As a personal touch, PM Modi gifted Sheikh Mohamed a beautifully sculpt wooden Jhula (traditional swing) from Gujarat. In Gujarati customs, the jhula stands for family bonding and togetherness – and it nicely bind into the UAE declaring 2026 as the Year of Family. Little signing like that add a human layer to high-level diplomacy.
Why does this matter now? The timing is spot on amid rising tensions in West Asia – think strained Iran-US ties, the ongoing mess in Gaza, and the Yemen conflict where Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been deeply involved. A swift, high-crash meet like this sends a signal of solidity and partnership when the region feels anything but steady. India and the UAE have built one of the strongest two-sided relationships in current years, with enormous Indian disbandment in the Gulf, huge remittances, oil imports, and growing investments both ways.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri summed it up perfectly: short visit, but extremely substantive. The personal comfort between Modi and MBZ – fifth visit for the UAE President to India in a decennium – underlines trust that goes past paperwork.
In a world full of disputes, it’s reviving to see leaders organise friendship and tangible wins. Here’s to more such moments that keep ties strong.
Sources:
NDTV
India Today
Times of India
Reuters
ANI
