The UAE President Set to Arrive in India Amid Trump’s Emerging Gaza Peace Initiative
Amid escalating tensions in West Asia and fresh momentum behind U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed peace framework for Gaza, India is preparing to welcome United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday, January 19, 2026. The Ministry of External Affairs announced on Sunday that the UAE leader will engage in official discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit.
The two leaders are expected to explore fresh avenues to strengthen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Their talks will also cover regional and international matters of shared concern, where New Delhi and Abu Dhabi demonstrate substantial alignment in perspectives.
The timing of the visit carries particular weight, coming just two days after the UAE expressed support for President Trump’s announcement regarding the establishment of the ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza. India has likewise received an invitation to participate in this body, as reported in related developments covered by The Hindu.
The UAE ranks among India’s leading trading partners, and diplomatic planning between the two nations has intensified in recent months. In December 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar travelled to Abu Dhabi for the 16th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting and the fifth round of the India-UAE Strategic Dialogue. Those sessions reviewed forward-looking cooperation across multiple domains, including trade and investment, energy, connectivity, defence, security, development partnerships, technology, health, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
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Beyond immediate bilateral priorities, the visit is anticipated to address the UAE’s backing for India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit scheduled for next month. Discussions are also likely to touch on preparations for the forthcoming BRICS summit that India will host, with its agenda forming part of the broader conversation.
The engagement underscores the deepening ties between India and the UAE at a moment when global attention remains fixed on efforts to stabilise Gaza and the wider region through initiatives like the U.S.-backed Board of Peace.