PM Modi Welcomes UAE President Sheikh Mohamed for Republic Day Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi on Tuesday, marking the fifth high-level meeting between the two leaders in just eight months. The UAE President is the chief guest for India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
Key Takeaways
- This is the fifth Modi-Sheikh Mohamed meeting in eight months, highlighting rapidly deepening ties.
- The UAE President is the chief guest for India’s 75th Republic Day parade.
- Bilateral talks focused on strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- Trade and investment form a core pillar, with UAE as India’s 3rd-largest trading partner.
A Ceremonial Welcome in the Capital
Sheikh Mohamed, on a two-day state visit, was first received by PM Modi at the airport. He was later accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The leaders then met at Hyderabad House, where they shook hands and shared a hug before beginning delegation-level talks.
In a post on X, PM Modi stated he looked forward to the discussions, which aim to “further deepen bilateral ties.” This visit follows PM Modi’s trip to the UAE in December 2023 for the COP28 climate summit and bilateral meetings.
Deepening a Strategic Partnership
The relationship between India and the UAE is built on millennia-old cultural and economic links and has been formalised into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. During their last meeting, the leaders discussed expanding this partnership and exchanged views on regional and international issues.
The economic framework is robust:
- CEPA: The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was signed in February 2022.
- Local Currency Settlement: A system to use the Indian Rupee and UAE Dirham for cross-border transactions was established in July 2023.
The UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner, second-largest export destination, and fourth-largest source of foreign investment.
The People-to-People Bridge
Beyond diplomacy and trade, the nations are connected by a 3.5 million-strong Indian community in the UAE—the largest expatriate group there. This community acts as a vital, living bridge of friendship between the two countries.
