MUMBAI: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held extensive bilateral discussions with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai on Tuesday, reaffirming New Delhi’s strong commitment to peace initiatives driven by dialogue and diplomacy in the West Asia region. The high-level meeting focused on deepening bilateral cooperation across core sectors, including trade, investments, energy, logistics, defense, technology, and education. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed arrived in Mumbai on Monday evening for a two-day official visit amidst heightened regional volatility following recent missile and drone strikes targeting strategic locations in Saudi Arabia. The visit follows EAM Jaishankar’s recent trip to the UAE, where he engaged with top leadership in the Gulf nation. Expressing serious concern over the security climate, Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to ensuring the “free, safe, and unimpeded flow of trade, energy, and fertilizers” while thanking the UAE leadership for safeguarding the welfare of the vast Indian expatriate community residing in the Emirates. Highlighting the landmark success of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Jaishankar revealed that total bilateral trade between India and the UAE has officially surpassed the $100 billion benchmark. He noted that two-way investment flows continue to grow rapidly despite ongoing geopolitical headwinds, showcasing strong mutual confidence between business ecosystems in both nations. Furthermore, cooperation in defense manufacturing, clean energy, and advanced technology is rapidly gaining strategic significance. Following the delegation-level discussions, Jaishankar stated on platform X that the India-UAE relationship is “living up to its promise as a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” citing the vast scope and ambition across multiple operational domains. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that both ministers reviewed joint preparations for the upcoming 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which will be hosted by the UAE with active Indian participation. Sheikh Abdullah was received upon arrival by Maharashtra Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the strategic exchange further consolidates the long-standing partner relationship between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi.
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