He came, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and he left. That was how a section of social media described United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s brief visit to New Delhi on Monday, as the short duration of the trip sparked intense online speculation.
Popularly known as MBZ, the UAE President landed in the national capital on Monday evening and departed within a few hours, prompting questions about the urgency and purpose of the visit.
However, a joint statement issued by India and the UAE later clarified that the visit was neither sudden nor unplanned and took place at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Brief Visit Sparks Online Buzz
While some reports claimed the visit lasted one hour and 45 minutes, others said it extended to nearly three hours. Regardless of the exact duration, the presence of several key UAE ministers with MBZ fuelled speculation on social media.
“One of the shortest state visits I’ve seen. Flown in at 4, flown out by 7. Must be something urgent,” a user wrote on X.
Another user remarked, “MBZ brought almost everyone important in the UAE for a two-hour visit. Something significant happened.”
Joint Statement Reveals Strategic Significance
Contrary to online theories, the India-UAE joint statement revealed that the meeting resulted in a series of important outcomes that could not have been planned in a matter of hours.
The statement said this was MBZ’s fifth visit to India in the last ten years and his third official visit as UAE President.
Both leaders reviewed the full scope of bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed the strength of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Terror Condemned, Defence Cooperation Strengthened
Prime Minister Modi and the UAE President unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, and stressed that no country should provide safe haven to terror financiers and planners.
They agreed to:
- Strengthen cooperation within the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
- Counter terror financing and money laundering
- Enhance defence and security cooperation
The leaders also welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent towards a Strategic Defence Partnership.
Key Agreements and Outcomes
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two sides finalised 12 major outcomes, including:
- Strategic Defence Partnership
- Promotion of civil nuclear cooperation
- Energy agreements between HPCL and ADNOC Gas
- Several MoUs, LoIs, and bilateral agreements
PM Modi later shared a group photograph with the UAE delegation and described the meeting as productive and forward-looking.
MBZ’s Message Before Departure
Before leaving India, MBZ posted on X, saying he was pleased to meet PM Modi and discuss ways to strengthen the deep-rooted historical ties between the two nations.
He said India and the UAE remain committed to sustainable development, economic growth, and future-focused sectors.
Regional Context: Saudi-UAE Tensions
The visit also comes amid growing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, driven by differences over:
- Oil production within OPEC+
- Rival economic ambitions
- Regional conflicts in Yemen and Iran
- Defence agreements involving Pakistan
These regional dynamics added further weight to the strategic importance of the Delhi meeting.
Conclusion
While the brevity of MBZ’s visit sparked online buzz, official statements make it clear that the meeting was carefully planned and strategically significant, reinforcing the growing defence, security, and economic partnership between India and the UAE.