Amid tensions with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited India on Monday (January 19, 2026). Sheikh Nahyan reached India for just a two-hour visit, to welcome whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself broke the protocol and reached the airport to receive him. PM Modi warmly welcomed the UAE President with a hug and then both of them left the airport sitting in the same car.

However, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to India for just two hours has become a major topic of discussion. Actually, the main reason behind this discussion is the timing of this visit. The UAE President’s visit to India came at a time when the threat of American attack on Iran has been averted, while on the other hand, India has received an invitation from America to join the Gaza Peace Board.

What did the Foreign Ministry say on the visit of UAE President?

The Ministry of External Affairs has issued an official statement on Monday (January 19, 2026) regarding the visit of the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India. In the statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, ‘This visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India is taking place following the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is His Excellency Al Nahyan’s third official visit to India after becoming the President of the UAE and his fifth visit to India in the last decade.

The Foreign Ministry further said, ‘A meeting is scheduled between the leaders of the two countries on Monday evening. This visit of UAE President Al Nahyan will provide an opportunity to both the leaders to further strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates. During his visit, both the leaders will talk about many regional and global issues of mutual interest.

What was discussed in the meeting of PM Modi and President Al Nahyan?

According to the report of news agency PTI, people familiar with the visit of UAE to India said that the agenda of talks between President Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to mainly include issues of trade, investment, cooperation in defense industry as well as energy related initiatives.

What is the schedule of President Al Nahyan’s visit to India?

According to the schedule of his two-hour visit to India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reached the capital Delhi around 4:30 pm Indian time. After this, the talks between him and Prime Minister Modi started at around 4.45 pm and he left Delhi at around 6 pm.

Also read: Yunus government released report amid ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, know what it said?