The visit of the President of the United Arab Emirates to Delhi marks a significant step in bolstering India-UAE relations, especially amid rising tensions in West Asia. Both countries signed key agreements on strategic defence partnership, space cooperation, and UAE's investment in the Dholera region. The quote, 'the president of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is in Delhi,' highlights the visit's importance. The discussions covered diverse sectors such as LNG, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, food security, and civil nuclear cooperation, underlining a shared vision for expanding economic and strategic collaboration. The visit also carries cultural significance, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presenting traditional gifts to UAE dignitaries, reflecting warmth in bilateral ties.
00:00The world is in turmoil from West Asia to Europe to the United States and in midst of war clouds over West Asia, the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is in Delhi. He a-dashed to Delhi. He's met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two are close personal friends and India and UAE are also close strategic partners.
00:25Their aim is to increase bilateral trade to cross the $100 billion mark beyond oil. And this is a very crucial visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Palam Technical Area to receive the President of the UAE. They travelled together to seven Lokalyan mark. The images that you see on your television screen, this indicates the warmth of not just in their personal ties, but in India, UAE ties.
00:49Now, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says India-UAE summit, it was short, but it was substantive. It reflects the close ties between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
01:06Talks were both restricted, one-on-one and of course at the delegation level. There are several key agreements that were in, that's breaking news that's just coming in, including a letter of intent towards a strategic defence partnership, cooperation on space infrastructure and UAE's participation in the Dolera Investment Region.
01:30Plus, there's a long-term LNG supply deal that makes UAE India's second largest LNG supplier.
01:39The two sides have also agreed to deepen cooperation on food security, civil nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, data centres and supercomputing, reinforcing the width, the breadth of the India-UAE strategic partnership.
01:55For India, UAE remains a very critical economic and strategic partner backed by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which was the basis framework, which led to growing trade, strong investment.
02:08India's trade with UAE, it grew to about $83.7 billion in 2023-2024 and this visit comes at a very sensitive time, especially in West Asia.
02:21Iran-US tensions remain extremely high. Gaza continues to simmer.
02:26Then there is the Yemen conflict. Tensions between UAE and Saudi Arabia. Against this backdrop, the Modi-MBZ visit and the dialogue on a wide-ranging issue, subjects, it just shows that the timing is very crucial.
02:46Tensions over Yemen, Riyadh's recent outreach to Pakistan reported Saudi strikes impacting UAE-linked assets in Yemen.
02:56It just adds many very, very complex layers to this visit.
03:02Now, MEA officials tell India today that UAE and India share a high degree of convergence on a number of issues, regional issues and global issues.
03:11Today's talks are all about charting the next phase of partnership.
03:16We will also tell you more about these images of the Prime Minister's residence.
03:21Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being introduced to the delegation from UAE and the President of UAE is being introduced to External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jai Shankar.
03:31You can also see Hardeep Puri, Petroleum Minister, in those images.
03:35Plus, I must tell you, when the Prime Minister welcomed Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nayan, the President of UAE and his family at his residence, the Prime Minister presented traditional Indian gifts to them.
03:52The Prime Minister gifted the President of UAE a royal carved wooden jhula, a swing.
04:00And I'll show you those images of that swing because it's a beautifully carved wooden swing.
04:06It comes from the state of Gujarat.
04:08It sits at the heart of many Gujarat family homes.
04:13It's a hand-carved, detailed, floral and traditional design jhula.
04:18It actually shows, watch those images, they're just coming up there.
04:22That's the jhula that the Prime Minister has presented to the President of the UAE.
04:28You know, in Gujarati culture, this jhula symbolises the togetherness of a family, conversation and bonding across generations.
04:39This gift also resonates deeply with the UAE since 2026, even in the United Arab Emirates, is the year of the family.
04:50Then the Prime Minister also gifted the President of UAE a Pashmina shawl in an ordinate silver box.
04:58This Pashmina shawl comes from Kashmir, an integral part of India.
05:04Made by hand, fine wool, very soft, light and warm is what we are being told.
05:10The shawl was placed in a decorative silver box.
05:14That silver box was made in Telangana.
05:17Together, they represent India's rich tradition of handloom and handicraft.
05:22Pashmina shawl in an ordinate silver box was also gifted to Her Highness, Shekha Fatima bint Mubarak al-Kethbi.
05:31She was also gifted Kashmiri saffron, kesar, in an ordinate silver box.
05:37Now, grown in the Kashmir Valley, saffron is actually, you know, the more crimson, the deep crimson saffron.
05:47It just stands for intense aroma and is an integral part, not just in Kashmir, but even in the rest of the country.
05:55Before I get you more on the story, listen in to Foreign Secretary Vikram Rastri.
06:02The discussions between the two leaders focused on several new and emerging areas of cooperation as well.
06:10In fact, to capitalize on the new opportunities for civil nuclear cooperation in the light of the passage of the Shanti Act in India for sustainable harnessing and advancement of nuclear energy for transforming India.
06:27The two sides decided to explore partnership in advanced nuclear technologies, including development and deployment of large nuclear reactors and small modular reactors,
06:41as well as cooperation in advanced reactor systems, nuclear power plant operations and maintenance and nuclear safety.
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