Modi calls India-UAE ties a 'symbol of stability' amid West Asian uncertainty
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, on Saturday and described strong India-United Arab Emirates ties as a source of stability at a time of uncertainty in West Asia.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where Mr. Modi also held bilateral discussions with the Prime Ministers of Ethiopia, Vietnam and Malaysia. The Prime Minister's Office confirmed the engagements.
"India-UAE ties have been transformed over the last few years. Now, we are raising our ambitions even higher," Mr. Modi said after the meeting. He said the discussion covered the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor project. "At a time of uncertainty in West Asia, a strong India-UAE partnership is a symbol of stability, prosperity and peace," he said.
The Crown Prince's visit comes at a time when the UAE and Iran, both BRICS members, have taken opposing positions in the conflict in West Asia. A joint declaration by BRICS members could be reached only after the differing perspectives of the two countries were reconciled. The visit has been viewed as a significant diplomatic move by the UAE.
The External Affairs Ministry (MEA) said in a statement that the two leaders discussed major investment opportunities in India. "The leaders acknowledged the important role that L'Imad, the UAE's newest sovereign investment fund, could play in further deepening the India-UAE partnership for mutual benefit," the Ministry said. The discussions also covered cooperation in defence, space, nuclear energy, technology and innovation.
The meeting reviewed the announcement by the UAE's International Holding Company that it would invest $11.5 billion in an integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha. The project is expected to position Odisha as a global aluminium manufacturing hub and generate employment for a large number of industrial workers.
Talks with Ethiopia
Mr. Modi also held discussions with Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. According to the MEA, the talks were aimed at further strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership, and the two leaders "reviewed progress across key sectors, including economic cooperation, defence and security partnership, and capacity building". The meeting built on Mr. Modi's visit to Addis Ababa in December 2025, the Ministry said.
The two leaders exchanged perspectives on regional and international developments of mutual interest, and reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation in multilateral fora. "Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for Ethiopia's participation in the 18th BRICS Summit and noted that its presence helped reinforce the collective voice of the Global South," the MEA said.
Vietnam partnership
Mr. Modi also met Le Minh Hung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual importance and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership, the MEA said.
The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress in bilateral ties, which were elevated to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the State Visit of To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, to India in May 2026. The Ministry described the India-Vietnam relationship as a "time-tested friendship" rooted in shared civilisational heritage, mutual trust and understanding.
