The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of India share a longstanding friendship built on centuries-old cultural and economic ties. Their relationship grew following the establishment of the UAE in 1971. The UAE appointed its first ambassador to New Delhi in 1972, and India appointed its first ambassador to the UAE in June 1973. Since then, both countries have steadily expanded cooperation across a wide range of fields.
Strong ties in trade, business, and investment have developed into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Today, cooperation spans defense, energy, space, information technology, and other strategic sectors. Regular high-level visits continue to deepen the partnership and open new avenues for collaboration.
On May 15, 2026, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi paid an official visit to the UAE and met with UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in energy, trade, investment, defense, security, financial technology, infrastructure, education, and people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Modi had previously visited the UAE on February 13–14, 2024, in his seventh visit since 2015. He held bilateral talks with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi and met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and, at the time, Minister of Defense of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. The visit saw the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding, including the Bilateral Investment Treaty and an agreement establishing an intergovernmental framework for the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
In a reciprocal visit, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan traveled to India on January 19, 2026, at Prime Minister Modi’s invitation. It was His Highness’s fifth visit to India in ten years and his third official visit as UAE President.
His Highness had also made a working visit to Gujarat in January 2024 as chief guest of the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. During the visit, he and Prime Minister Modi discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership, particularly in the economy, energy, technology, climate action, and sustainable development. They witnessed the exchange of memoranda of understanding covering food parks, renewable energy, innovative healthcare, and sustainable ports.
High-level engagement continued with a visit to India by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on September 11–12, 2026. On behalf of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, he led the UAE delegation to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. On the sidelines of the summit, His Highness met Prime Minister Modi. They reaffirmed the importance of the UAE–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in strategic and emerging sectors.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled also visited India on February 18–19, 2026, to participate in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where he met Prime Minister Modi. His first visit to India as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi took place on September 9–10, 2024. During that visit, His Highness met Prime Minister Modi and President of India Droupadi Murmu to discuss ways to further strengthen the UAE–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Strong ties in trade, business, and investment have developed into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Today, cooperation spans defense, energy, space, information technology, and other strategic sectors. Regular high-level visits continue to deepen the partnership and open new avenues for collaboration.
On May 15, 2026, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi paid an official visit to the UAE and met with UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in energy, trade, investment, defense, security, financial technology, infrastructure, education, and people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Modi had previously visited the UAE on February 13–14, 2024, in his seventh visit since 2015. He held bilateral talks with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi and met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and, at the time, Minister of Defense of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. The visit saw the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding, including the Bilateral Investment Treaty and an agreement establishing an intergovernmental framework for the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
In a reciprocal visit, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan traveled to India on January 19, 2026, at Prime Minister Modi’s invitation. It was His Highness’s fifth visit to India in ten years and his third official visit as UAE President.
His Highness had also made a working visit to Gujarat in January 2024 as chief guest of the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. During the visit, he and Prime Minister Modi discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership, particularly in the economy, energy, technology, climate action, and sustainable development. They witnessed the exchange of memoranda of understanding covering food parks, renewable energy, innovative healthcare, and sustainable ports.
High-level engagement continued with a visit to India by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on September 11–12, 2026. On behalf of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, he led the UAE delegation to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. On the sidelines of the summit, His Highness met Prime Minister Modi. They reaffirmed the importance of the UAE–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in strategic and emerging sectors.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled also visited India on February 18–19, 2026, to participate in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where he met Prime Minister Modi. His first visit to India as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi took place on September 9–10, 2024. During that visit, His Highness met Prime Minister Modi and President of India Droupadi Murmu to discuss ways to further strengthen the UAE–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
