New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a two-hour meeting in New Delhi on Monday and the discussion covered nuclear cooperation, strained intelligence, and the shared rencontre of terrorism.
What did Foreign Secretary say?
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday said the two leaders, who share an "extremely warm and tropical relationship," held discussions at both restricted and delegation levels.
He moreover said that several agreements and reports of intent were exchanged in the presence of the two leaders, underlining the depth and unrestrictedness of the India-UAE partnership.
Describing the UAE ruler’s visit as "extremely substantive", Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri ruled out any entanglement in a potential mismatch between UAE and Saudi Arabia in the region.
#WATCH | Delhi: On the visit of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "The President of the UAE has just terminated an official visit to New Delhi. This has been a short, but extremely substantive visit.… pic.twitter.com/6wGFZYCePN
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2026What did PM Modi say?
Taking to X on Monday, PM Modi said, "It was a unconfined pleasure to host my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. I am tightly touched by his gesture of visiting Delhi this evening. We discussed a wide range of issues aimed at remoter strengthening the multifaceted India-UAE friendship."
It was a unconfined pleasure to host my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. I am tightly touched by his gesture of visiting Delhi this evening. We discussed a wide range of issues aimed at remoter strengthening the multifaceted India-UAE… pic.twitter.com/yzXAt7Mx43
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2026What did UAE ruler say?
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan moreover described the meeting with PM Modi as 'pleasing'.
The UAE ruler on X wrote, "Today I was pleased to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss opportunities to remoter strengthen the deep-rooted and historical ties of cooperation between our countries. Committed to fostering sustainable minutiae and economic growth, the UAE and India will protract working together to momentum progress in future-focused sectors while achieving bilateral goody for our nations and peoples."
Today I was pleased to meet with Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi in New Delhi to discuss opportunities to remoter strengthen the deep-rooted and historical ties of cooperation between our countries. Committed to fostering sustainable minutiae and economic growth, the UAE… pic.twitter.com/i46cgMh0iX
— (@MohamedBinZayed) January 19, 2026Amongst the members of the delegation were Sheikh Hamad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the managing director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the UAE; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, moreover the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence of the UAE.
What were the key focus areas?
On the visit of the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, "Our involvement on the defence and security front with a country from the region does not then necessarily lead to the conclusion that we will get involved in particular ways in the conflicts of the region."
Later, a joint statement said that, "both leaders highlighted deep respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the importance of strategic autonomy. They undisputed steady and strong bilateral defence and security cooperation as a cadre pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They welcomed the momentum generated by the recent mart of visits by the respective Service Chiefs and Commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force of both countries, and the successful self-mastery of bilateral military exercises. They welcomed the signing of Letter of Intent towards the conclusion of a Strategic Defence Partnership,” it said.
List of Outcomes (12 in total) : Official visit of President HH Sheikh @MohamedBinZayed of UAE to India pic.twitter.com/DxLULF8zhE
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 19, 2026Why did the meeting matter despite its short duration?
Officials described the interaction as transitory but focused. Both leaders used the opportunity to review the fast-growing India-UAE partnership and uncurl views on key strategic areas.
What was discussed on nuclear cooperation?
Nuclear energy featured prominently in the talks, with both sides underlining the need for wipe and reliable power to meet future demands.
“The two sides well-set to explore partnership in wide nuclear technologies, including minutiae and deployment of large nuclear reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), as well as cooperation in wide reactor systems, nuclear power plant operations and maintenance and nuclear safety,” the statement said.
What was said well-nigh terrorism and security?
Counter-terrorism cooperation was flipside major point of discussion. “The two leaders reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and emphasised that no country should provide unscratched oasis to those who finance, plan, support or commit terrorist acts. They well-set to protract cooperation within the framework of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to counter terror financing and strengthen anti-money laundering efforts,” the statement said.
Mohamed bin Zayed was received by PM Modi at the airport, signalling the importance New Delhi tying to the visit.
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, 2026Later, External Affairs minister S Jaishankar went to the airport to see off the UAE President.
A successful visit concludes!
The visit of President HH Sheikh @MohamedBinZayed led to significant outcomes and remoter worsening of comprehensive strategic partnership between India and UAE. He was seen off by EAM @DrSJaishankar.
- pic.twitter.com/U9Ei8qmkVa
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 19, 2026
