Jaishankar Meets UAE Foreign Minister in Mumbai
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Mumbai on October 19, 2026, for a two-day official visit. The diplomatic engagement focuses on strengthening India-UAE relations, expanding economic cooperation and discussing regional security developments, particularly the evolving situation in West Asia.
Jaishankar Welcomes UAE Foreign Minister in Mumbai
Sheikh Abdullah arrived in Mumbai on Monday evening and was received at the airport by Maharashtra Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
Jaishankar subsequently welcomed the visiting minister and held discussions aimed at advancing bilateral cooperation.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and review ongoing initiatives between the two countries.
India-UAE Talks Focus on Trade, Energy and Investment
The two foreign ministers discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, investment, finance, energy and cultural exchanges.
Both sides reviewed progress under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which provides a framework for strengthening commercial relations.
Sheikh Abdullah emphasised the longstanding relationship between India and the UAE, highlighting mutual trust and shared economic interests.
The discussions also covered opportunities to deepen cooperation in sectors contributing to sustainable economic growth.
West Asia Security Developments on Diplomatic Agenda
The visit comes amid continuing regional tensions in West Asia, including concerns surrounding recent attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Indian officials had indicated that the discussions would cover regional and global developments alongside bilateral priorities.
Cooperation in defence, financial technology and connectivity also formed part of the broader diplomatic agenda.
The UAE remains an important strategic and economic partner for India, with longstanding ties spanning energy, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
The Mumbai engagement reflects continuing high-level diplomatic cooperation as both governments seek to expand their partnership across traditional and emerging sectors.
