UAE President lands in India on working visit
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed receives personal welcome from PM Modi
DUBAI/NEW DELHI – His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, landed in New Delhi on Monday on a working visit to the Republic of India.
The visit comes amid sustained high-level engagement aimed at expanding cooperation across strategic, economic and cultural sectors. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received the UAE President at Palam Air Base, a gesture reflecting the close relationship between the two leaders.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed was accorded a red carpet welcome on arrival, with ceremonial honours at the air base. Prime Minister Modi greeted the UAE President warmly, with the two leaders exchanging hugs and firm handshakes before proceeding with the reception programme. The welcome included a cultural performance featuring traditional Indian dance and music, highlighting the symbolic importance attached to the visit.
Warm reception
Prime Minister Modi later shared details of the reception in a post on X, describing His Highness Sheikh Mohamed as his “brother” and emphasising the significance of the visit for bilateral relations.
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.@MohamedBinZayed pic.twitter.com/Os3FRvVrBc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2026
Modi said the UAE President’s presence in New Delhi illustrated the importance he attaches to a strong India-UAE friendship and expressed anticipation for discussions during the visit. Images shared by the Indian leader showed the two heads of state walking together and engaging closely at the airport, a scene that has become emblematic of their personal rapport.
The leaders were seen holding hands as they moved towards the meeting venue, signalling the warmth that has come to characterise India-UAE relations in recent years. The decision by the Indian Prime Minister to receive the visiting head of state at the airport is viewed as a notable diplomatic gesture, typically reserved for visits of particular importance.
Bilateral agenda
During the visit, Sheikh Mohamed and Prime Minister Modi are expected to hold bilateral talks focused on strengthening cooperation in key areas, including strategic partnerships, economic engagement and cultural exchanges. The discussions are set against the backdrop of expanding trade links, growing investment flows and close coordination on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Officials have indicated that the talks will build on existing frameworks of collaboration while exploring opportunities to further deepen ties in emerging sectors. The UAE and India have, in recent years, placed increased emphasis on long-term economic cooperation, innovation and people-to-people connections, supported by regular exchanges at the highest levels of leadership.
High-level delegation
Accompanying the UAE President is a senior delegation comprising leading members of the UAE leadership and government. The delegation includes His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence; Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Also part of the delegation are Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President; along with several ministers and senior officials.
The working visit builds on strong momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges between the two countries. These include the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in September 2024, as well as the visit of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in April last year.