India-UAE Set Sights on AI, Nuclear Energy & Trade Expansion

India-UAE: In a powerful display of diplomatic warmth and strategic intent, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday personally received UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Delhi airport, underscoring the depth of the India-UAE strategic partnership at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty in West Asia.

Breaking from protocol, the two leaders travelled together in the same car from the airport to the Prime Minister’s residence, a gesture widely seen as symbolic of the exceptional personal rapport and trust that define bilateral ties. The visit comes amid ongoing instability in Gaza, strained Iran–US relations, and the protracted conflict in Yemen, adding geopolitical significance to the high-level engagement.

Welcoming the UAE President, Prime Minister Modi took to X to convey the importance of 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,” he wrote.

India-UAE: High-Level Talks and Cultural Diplomacy

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his family were later hosted by Prime Minister Modi at his residence on Lok Kalyan Marg, where the Indian leader presented a selection of traditional gifts reflecting India’s cultural diversity and craftsmanship.

Among the highlights was a royal carved wooden jhula from Gujarat, intricately designed with floral and traditional motifs. The swing, symbolising family bonding and intergenerational dialogue, resonated with the UAE’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Family.

Prime Minister Modi also gifted the UAE President a luxurious Pashmina shawl from Kashmir, presented in an ornate silver box crafted in Telangana, representing India’s rich handloom and handicraft heritage. H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi received a Pashmina shawl along with Kashmiri saffron, prized globally for its deep crimson strands and aromatic richness.

Substantive Outcomes Despite a Short Visit

Describing the visit as “short, but extremely substantive,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the personal reception at the airport reflected the “extremely warm and close relationship” between the two leaders.

The strength of the engagement was evident from the composition of the UAE delegation, which included senior members of royal families from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, along with top ministers and officials handling foreign affairs, defence, technology, investment, and national security.

India-UAE: New Frontiers – Nuclear Energy, AI and Digital Infrastructure

A major outcome of the talks was the decision to explore cooperation in advanced nuclear technologies. Both sides agreed to examine collaboration in the development and deployment of large nuclear reactors and small modular reactors, as well as advanced reactor systems, nuclear plant operations, maintenance, and nuclear safety.

Artificial Intelligence emerged as a priority pillar of the India-UAE strategic partnership. The two countries agreed to collaborate on setting up a supercomputing cluster in India with a UAE partnership, alongside potential UAE investments to expand India’s data centre capacity.

In a forward-looking move, both sides decided to explore the concept of a digital or data embassy, a relatively new idea that would operate under mutually recognised sovereignty frameworks, reflecting growing trust in the digital domain.

Trade Ambitions Set Higher

On the economic front, the leaders reviewed the progress of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2022. Since its implementation, bilateral trade has crossed the $100 billion mark. Building on this momentum, India and the UAE agreed to double bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032.