The diplomatic agenda between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently been one of the most productive in the Middle East, over the last five years. That momentum continued during Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s third visit to the UAE since his reappointment, which took place from Jan. 27 to Jan. 29. The visit highlighted the deepening bilateral partnership and the extent to which their regional interests have converged, even as the UAE tries to contend with its role in the Gaza crisis and the larger contours of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
Dr. Jaishankar’s time in the UAE also included engagement as Chief Guest at the first Raisina Middle East Dialogue in Abu Dhabi — a forum to discuss pressing regional and global challenges.
During his stay, he held high-level talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed (who visited India in September 2023), and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed (who traveled to New Delhi in December 2023).These meetings were dedicated to strengthening partnerships between the two nations in trade and energy sectors as well as technology and defense areas based on their strategic partnership from 2017.
The relationship stands out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi because he has traveled to the UAE seven times since 2014. The trading relationship between UAE and India stands at $85 billion each year where UAE holds the position as India’s third-largest business partner. Partnerships in sophisticated technology and renewable power as well as food security gained momentum through the 2022 free trade agreement and multiple joint business ventures.
UAE diplomacy toward Gaza faces careful investigation since the ongoing Gaza ceasefire shows signs of instability. Through the Abraham Accords Abu Dhabi has preserved its diplomatic relations with Israel although the nation quietly supports Palestinian rights. The Israeli media revealed that the United Arab Emirates accepted “in principle” to manage Gaza during post-conflict period despite unclear specifics regarding the agreement.
Experts believe the UAE uses its political connection with Israel to improve Gaza’s humanitarian situation while seeking permanent solutions. Abu Dhabi focuses on dialogues to deliver support through official channels while promoting peaceful conduct. The strategy responds to several strategic foreign policy priorities which include promoting Middle Eastern stability and fighting extremism while acting as a conflict mediation authority.
Abdulkhaleq Abdulla explained that disengagement from Israel would prevent the UAE from exercising any major influence on future developments about the Palestinians. Such interaction would help the UAE seek de-escalation and reconstruction besides safeguarding its economic and security interests.
The regional goals of both the UAE and India closely mirror each other: economic diversification, technological innovation, and energy transition. In both nations, the leadership considers its partnership as critical to navigating global shifts, including multipolarity changes and sustainable development challenges. S. Jaishankar mentioned during the Raisina Dialogue that India supports cooperation with the UAE in the fields of green energy, digital infrastructure, and maritime security in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
However, this crisis presents a complicated challenge. While historically, India’s support for the statehood of Palestine has been firm, the Modi government has also strengthened ties with Israel, especially in defense and technology matters. As a result, the UAE’s balanced position allows New Delhi to engage a negotiating process with each side without harming its strategic interests.
The India-UAE partnership is not just about bilateral benefits. Their joint endeavors at multilateral platforms such as the I2U2 Group (India, Israel, UAE, and U.S.) and the BRICS bloc reinforce a common vision of a stable, interconnected region. The UAE’s attempts to act as a humanitarian hub for Gaza—spearheading aid shipment and couching reconstruction advocacy—nicely complements India’s calls for a two-state solution and sustained dialogue.
Yet many challenges will still remain. The UAE’s ties with Israel are still an awkward situation in parts of the Arab world, and India taking a neutral stance on the conflict in Gaza puts it at the risk of criticism from Global South countries. Carefully walking this tightrope will enable both countries to present themselves in a way that will not be detrimental to Palestinian aspirations.
Both nations finished their visit by strengthening their dedication to formulating a “future-ready partnership.” The countries are working together to launch collaborations involving hydrogen energy research and AI technology developments and defense industry production. The UAE’s investment in India’s infrastructure projects, such as the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), signals confidence in New Delhi’s economic trajectory.
India and UAE have established an alliance that proves beneficial because of their ability to navigate unstable regional conditions. Their economic ambitions unify through strategic geopolitical movement that enables mutual interest development alongside stability creation. The Gaza crisis presents an opportunity to test their partnership as it shapes diplomatic outcomes between humanitarian necessities and strategic priorities.
The message coming from both New Delhi and Abu Dhabi declares that cooperation forms the central path for future development despite the changing geopolitical context.
