UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed to visit India on January 19

India and the United Arab Emirates are set to deepen their strategic ties as President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrives in India on January 19 for an official visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

This visit is significant as it takes place during a period of enhanced relations between India and the UAE in various sectors such as trade, investment, energy and global cooperation.

The visit is going to be a major factor in the development of the already close partnership between the two nations and the unlocking of new areas for joint activities.

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Why is this visit important?

President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is visiting India for the third time since becoming the UAE President. Over the past ten years, this will be his fifth visit to the country. The frequent high-level visits highlight the strong and friendly relationship shared by India and the UAE.

According to the MEA, the visit will allow both leaders to discuss ways to deepen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global issues where both countries share similar thinking.

What recent high-level visits have strengthened India-UAE ties?

The upcoming visit builds on the strong momentum created by recent exchanges between the two nations. In September 2024, Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, visited India.

This was followed by the visit of Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE and Crown Prince of Dubai, in April 2025.

Trust and collaboration among the leaders of the two nations have been reinforced through these visits.

How strong are the India-UAE trade and economic relations?

India and the UAE share close economic ties and are among each other’s top trading and investment partners. Their economic relationship is supported by major agreements such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system, and the Bilateral Investment Treaty.

The trade has become less complicated, and investments have been made from both sides thanks to these frameworks. An energy partnership has become one of the strongest factors in the relationship between the two countries, with long-term arrangements already made to supply energy that will meet the ever-increasing demand of India.

History of India-UAE diplomatic relations

India and the UAE established diplomatic relations in 1972. The UAE opened its Embassy in India the same year, while India opened its Embassy in the UAE in 1973. The relationship has steadily grown into a strong and wide-ranging partnership covering political, cultural, and economic areas.

Which global platforms do India and the UAE work together on?

India and the UAE cooperate closely at the United Nations and are part of several important international and regional groupings. The two nations are part of alliances like BRICS, I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA), and the UAE-France-India (UFI) Trilateral.

As a result of the partnership's increasing global influence, the UAE was invited as a Guest Country to the G20 Summit, chaired by India.

The visit on January 19 is likely to solidify the ties between India and the UAE and outline new paths for cooperation. The visit, which is based on strong political understanding and common global interests, represents yet another important milestone in the development of friendship between the two countries.

With inputs from agencies (ANI).