External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai on Tuesday, with discussions focusing on the situation in West Asia and cooperation in trade, energy and defence.
Jaishankar said India remained concerned about the situation in the Gulf and backed efforts to resolve tensions through dialogue and diplomacy.
“The situation in the Gulf remains a matter of deep concern,” he said, stressing the need to ensure the “free, safe and unimpeded flow of trade, energy and fertiliser”. He also thanked the UAE leadership for looking after the Indian community in the country.
The meeting came days after Jaishankar visited the UAE for talks with its leadership. Al Nahyan arrived in Mumbai on Monday evening for a two-day visit, amid heightened regional tensions and reports of attacks targeting Saudi Arabia that were believed to have been carried out by Houthi rebels.
The ministers also reviewed economic ties between the two countries, including the impact of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has contributed to a rise in bilateral trade and investment.
Jaishankar said bilateral trade had crossed $100 billion since the agreement was signed, while investments in both directions continued to grow. He added that cooperation in defence, energy and technology was taking on greater strategic importance.
In a post on X after the meeting, Jaishankar said the two sides had reviewed cooperation across trade, investment, energy, technology, logistics, defence, education and people-to-people ties. He described the relationship as a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions also covered ways to expand economic cooperation and strengthen engagement across sectors. The ministers exchanged views on cooperation within international organisations and preparations for the UAE to host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, including India’s participation.
Al Nahyan was received in Mumbai by Maharashtra Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit reflected the regular high-level engagement between India and the UAE and was expected to further strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
This article was prepared with AI assistance and is based on information available in the public domain.
