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UAE visit: Modi to meet MBZ amid West Asia turbulence and energy security focus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will stop over in Abu Dhabi on May 15, 2026, en route to the India–Nordic Summit, to meet UAE President MBZ amid turbulence in West Asia. The discussions are expected to center on energy security, regional stability, and defence cooperation, reflecting a deepening India–UAE partnership. The visit follows MBZ's January 2026 visit to India and Ajit Doval's April 2026 consultations in Abu Dhabi, signaling intensified high-level engagement.
Why It Matters
The UAE is a major energy and investment partner for India, and the meeting could influence energy security, trade relations, and regional security dynamics in a strategically important region.
Timeline
6 Events
Modi’s Abu Dhabi stopover en route to India–Nordic Summit (May 15, 2026)
May 15, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will stop over in Abu Dhabi on May 15, 2026, en route to the India–Nordic Summit, and will meet UAE President MBZ.
Ajit Doval consultations in Abu Dhabi (April 2026)
April 2026
NSA Ajit Doval conducted consultations in Abu Dhabi in April 2026, reflecting ongoing security discussions.
MBZ visits India (January 2026)
January 2026
MBZ visited India in January 2026, signaling intensified high-level coordination between the two countries.
India-UAE trade milestone: US$100 billion (2025)
2025
Bilateral trade between India and the UAE surpassed US$100 billion in 2025, making the UAE India’s third-largest trading partner.
COP28 presidency and UAE-India energy cooperation (2023)
2023
The UAE held the COP28 presidency in 2023, enabling expanded cooperation with India in clean energy investments, renewables and green hydrogen.
Modi's 2015 UAE visit after 34-year hiatus
2015
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United Arab Emirates in 2015, marking the revival of India–UAE engagement after a 34-year hiatus.