UAE President MBZ’s short Delhi stopover raises questions, India-UAE release statement

The short and tightly scheduled visit of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to New Delhi on Monday triggered widespread speculation on social media, with many users questioning the urgency and purpose of a trip that lasted only a few hours. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, widely known as MBZ, arrived in the national capital in the evening and departed the same day. Reports varied on the exact duration of the visit, with estimates ranging from under two hours to nearly three. The unusual brevity, combined with the presence of several senior UAE ministers, added to the curiosity online.

Social media speculation over timing

Users on X pointed out, “An intriguing visit. State visits usually lasts a day or more. UAE visit had virtually all important ministers. Visit lasted just few hours. Flown in at 4. Departed by 7 or so. Highly usual to say the list. Gives the appearance of extreme importance and urgency.” Another user wrote, “MBZ brought almost everyone that matters in the UAE along with him for a 2-hour visit. Something significant happened yesterday.”

Visit planned, not sudden: joint statement

However, a joint statement issued by India and the UAE later clarified that the visit was planned and took place “at the invitation of” Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The statement noted that such outcomes could not have been arranged within a matter of hours, countering claims that the visit was sudden or improvised.

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According to an official release on pmindia.gov.in, this marked MBZ’s fifth visit to India in the past decade and his third official visit since becoming President of the United Arab Emirates. “At the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, paid an official visit to India on 19 January 2026. This was the fifth visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in the last ten years and his third official visit to India as the President of the UAE,” a press release on pmindia.gov.in.

Terror condemnation, defence ties in focus

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and PM Modi reviewed the full scope of bilateral relations and reaffirmed the strength of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both leaders “reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism”, and stressed that no country should offer a haven to those involved in terror financing. The statement also stated, “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.”

Agreements and outcomes

The joint statement welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent toward a Strategic Defence Partnership. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, later shared a list of 12 outcomes, including steps to promote civil nuclear cooperation and commercial agreements between Indian and UAE energy companies, alongside several MoUs and LoIs. The list included the proposed Strategic Defence Partnership, steps to advance bilateral civil nuclear cooperation, and a sales and purchase agreement between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and ADNOC Gas, along with several other Letters of Intent, Memorandums of Understanding and agreements.

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Leaders highlight depth of India-UAE partnership

PM Modi also shared a group photograph with the UAE delegation, describing the meeting as a pleasure and underscoring the high-level engagement between the two countries, despite the visit’s brief duration. He wrote, “I was delighted to receive His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates; His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates; His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan in India.”

MBZ also took to X, writing, “Today, I held discussions in New Delhi with His Excellency Narendra Modi on the prospects for developing bilateral relations, particularly in the vital sectors that support the shared developmental priorities of the UAE and India, and that strengthen the path of the deep-rooted and longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries, thereby achieving prosperity for both their peoples. Building bridges of cooperation for the sake of goodness, progress, and shared development for all is an authentic and ongoing Emirati approach.”

Saudi-UAE ties under strain

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, once seen as close partners in the Gulf, have seen ties strain in recent years due to growing rivalry and policy differences rather than direct confrontation. The two sides have differed on issues ranging from oil output decisions within OPEC+ to competing economic ambitions and contrasting approaches to regional matters such as Yemen and relations with Iran.

Tensions resurfaced on Monday after Yemen’s Saudi-backed government accused the UAE of operating a secret detention facility at an airbase near the port city of Mukalla, a charge Abu Dhabi rejected. The allegation was made by Hadramout governor Salem Al-Khanbashi during a Saudi-organised media visit to the Riyan airbase, according to Reuters