Abu Dhabi/New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, conveyed India’s strongest condemnation of the attacks that have taken place in the UAE and said India is ready to extend all possible support to help bring peace in West Asia.
“India stands shoulder-to-shoulder with UAE in every situation, and will continue to do so,” the PM said.
He also reiterated the need for unimpeded transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz and the cessation of attacks on shipping and on mariners.
The two sides shared their impressions with each other on the resolution of Middle East crisis and agreed to stay in touch.
PM Modi said that with the war in the region having an impact across the world, India has “always given importance to dialogue and diplomacy for resolving issues.”
PM Modi said that in the “current situation,” the importance of India-UAE relations has increased greatly, and thanked Sheikh Mohamed for taking the “comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights”.
The Modi-Al Nahyan meeting took place shortly after the prime minister landed in the Gulf nation in the first leg of his five-nation tour that also includes four European countries.
The UAE, which hosts a prominent US military base, has been the target of Iranian air strikes during the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.
PM Modi said, “The way UAE has been targeted is not acceptable” and added that the “way UAE has handled the current situation with restraint is praiseworthy.”
“India is ready to extend all possible support to bring peace in West Asia,” he said, in his opening remarks during the meeting with the UAE leader.
Earlier, the PM was received at the airport by the UAE President, with the two leaders sharing a warm, affectionate hug. PM Modi was also accorded a guard of honour.
PM Modi later said in a post on X: “The visit to the United Arab Emirates was brief, yet extraordinarily fruitful; where in-depth discussions were held with my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on ways to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE. And I am confident that the outcomes of this visit will further solidify the bonds of friendship between us, and contribute to achieving growth and prosperity.
“Just as this visit to the United Arab Emirates witnessed the signing of pivotal agreements in vital sectors such as energy, defense, infrastructure, shipping, and advanced technologies—thereby providing a fresh boost to the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE—in another significant development, the United Arab Emirates announced investments worth $5 billion in India, which will work to further deepen economic ties.”
The UAE President said in a post on X: “I welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Abu Dhabi, where our talks focused on further strengthening the deep ties between our countries and peoples. There is a long-term strategic and economic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and India, and our discussions today deliberated on measures to give new momentum to cooperation in energy, technology, and other priority sectors. Together, we are committed to ensuring the sustainable progress of our nations and promoting peace and stability in the region and the world.
“During our meeting today in Abu Dhabi, I discussed with His Excellency Narendra Modi the deep historical relations between the UAE and India, and the ongoing work to strengthen and advance them, particularly in the fields of development, with energy and technology at the forefront. The two countries are bound by a strong alliance relationship and a distinctive strategic and economic partnership, and thanks to their shared will, they are moving with accelerated steps towards achieving the goals of this partnership, and leveraging all available opportunities for a better future for their peoples.”
