PM Modi, UAE President Hold Brief but Crucial Talks on Nuclear Energy and Terror Threats (X: @narendramodi)
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, artificial intelligence, and the shared challenge of terrorism.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday said the two leaders, who share an "extremely warm and close relationship," held discussions at both restricted and delegation levels.
He also said that several agreements and letters of intent were exchanged in the presence of the two leaders, underlining the depth and breadth 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 conflict 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 concluded an official visit to New Delhi. This has been a short, but extremely substantive visit.… pic.twitter.com/6wGFZYCePN
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2026
Taking to X on Monday, PM Modi said, "It was a great pleasure to host my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. I am deeply touched by his gesture of visiting Delhi this evening. We discussed a wide range of issues aimed at further strengthening the multifaceted India-UAE friendship."
It was a great pleasure to host my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. I am deeply touched by his gesture of visiting Delhi this evening. We discussed a wide range of issues aimed at further strengthening the multifaceted India-UAE… pic.twitter.com/yzXAt7Mx43
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2026
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also 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 further strengthen the deep-rooted and historical ties of cooperation between our countries. Committed to fostering sustainable development and economic growth, the UAE and India will continue working together to drive progress in future-focused sectors while achieving mutual benefit for our nations and peoples."
Today I was pleased to meet with Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi in New Delhi to discuss opportunities to further strengthen the deep-rooted and historical ties of cooperation between our countries. Committed to fostering sustainable development and economic growth, the UAE… pic.twitter.com/i46cgMh0iX
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) January 19, 2026
Amongst 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, also the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence of the UAE.
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 acknowledged steady and strong bilateral defence and security cooperation as a core pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They welcomed the momentum generated by the recent exchange of visits by the respective Service Chiefs and Commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force of both countries, and the successful conduct 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, 2026
Officials described the interaction as concise but focused. Both leaders used the opportunity to review the fast-growing India-UAE partnership and align views on key strategic areas.
Nuclear energy featured prominently in the talks, with both sides underlining the need for clean and reliable power to meet future demands.
“The two sides agreed to explore partnership in advanced nuclear technologies, including development and deployment of large nuclear reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), as well as cooperation in advanced reactor systems, nuclear power plant operations and maintenance and nuclear safety,” the statement said.
Counter-terrorism cooperation was another 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 safe haven to those who finance, plan, support or commit terrorist acts. They agreed to continue 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 attached 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, 2026
Later, External Affairs minister S Jaishankar went to the airport to see off the UAE President.
A successful visit concludes!
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 19, 2026
The visit of President HH Sheikh @MohamedBinZayed led to significant outcomes and further deepening of comprehensive strategic partnership between India and UAE. He was seen off by EAM @DrSJaishankar.
🇮🇳- 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/U9Ei8qmkVa
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