President Sheikh Mohamed and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday stressed the serious consequences of the Iran war on energy supplies and the global economy during high-level talks in Abu Dhabi.
Mr Modi condemned Iran's attacks on the Emirates during the meeting, held as part of a working visit to the UAE.
The two leaders discussed ways to expand collaboration in a variety of sectors, with a focus on the economy, investment, energy, space, food security, technology and artificial intelligence.
"I welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Abu Dhabi for talks aimed at further strengthening the deeply rooted ties between our nations and peoples," Sheikh Mohamed said in a post on X.
"The UAE and India share a long-standing strategic and economic partnership and our discussions today focused on ways to advance co-operation in priority sectors including energy and technology. Together, we remain committed to driving lasting progress for our countries and promoting peace and stability throughout the region and the world."
Sheikh Mohamed witnessed the signing of two co-operation agreements with Indian energy companies amid increased collaboration in the sector.
The meeting was attended by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser to the UAE President.
Mr Modi's delegation included a number of ministers and officials.
Sheikh Mohamed later bid farewell to Mr Modi at the conclusion of his official visit.
A formation of UAE military aircraft escorted the Prime Minister’s plane as it departed the country's airspace.
Warm welcome
Sheikh Mohamed earlier welcomed Mr Modi to the UAE capital. He was greeted at an official reception ceremony that included a guard of honour, while the national anthems of both countries were also played. The plane carrying Mr Modi had been met by a formation of UAE military aircraft as it entered the country's airspace.
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President Sheikh Mohamed welcomes India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi, where they inspect the UAE Armed Forces honour guards. All photos: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Modi stand for the national anthem -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Modi -
Sheikh Mohamed greets Mr Modi -
Sheikh Mohamed receives Mr Modi at the Presidential Airport -
The UAE Armed Forces honour guards -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Modi -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence -
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and managing director of Mubadala Investment Company, and Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, group CEO of Adnoc and chairman of Masdar -
Dr Al Jaber and India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Modi
India had said earlier that Mr Modi would look to promote trade and investment during his visit. It said energy co-operation would be a focus of his high-level talks, taking place against the backdrop of regional conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
His trip will also serve to enhance a decades-long alliance between the countries that dates back to the formation of the Emirates. The UAE is home to about four million Indian residents, its largest expatriate population, who have been instrumental in the growth of the nation.
The UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India in 2022, marking the first such deal for the UAE. The Indian leader has arrived in the UAE as part of a five-nation tour that will also take him to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy in the coming days.
Key discussions
Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, said on Thursday that UAE-India relations continued to go from "strength to strength". The UAE regards Mr Modi as a “key figure of friendship”, she told the Indian news agency ANI.
Ms Al Hashimy added that the talks on Friday would address the effects of the closure of the strait. She said energy supplies were compromised around the world because the waterway had been “taken hostage” by Iran.
“You are having many people all around the world, including in India, really struggle with basic household needs. That is something that will certainly feature in our conversations,” she said.
Growing friendship
Mr Modi made a two-day visit to the UAE in 2024, where he addressed a crowd of 40,000 Indians at Zayed Sports City Stadium. He also spoke at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, before inaugurating the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.
In January, Sheikh Mohamed travelled to New Delhi on a working visit, during which he held talks with Mr Modi. The leaders reviewed efforts to deepen co-operation in several sectors – from technology and artificial intelligence to the economy and food security – during discussions at the Prime Minister's residence in the Indian capital.
