India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, undertook a significant diplomatic engagement in Abu Dhabi on December 15, 2025, holding high-level talks aimed at substantially strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates.
Strategic Dialogue with UAE Leadership
During his visit, Dr. Jaishankar was honoured to call on His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Vice President of the UAE. The meeting was marked by a productive discussion centred on a shared vision for the future of bilateral relations. The core agenda focused on deepening cooperation in two critical areas: the economy and defence. This high-level interaction underscores the political commitment from both nations to elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights.
Engaging with Key Economic Stakeholders
In a separate but equally crucial meeting, the External Affairs Minister held talks with HE Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, the Managing Director and Group CEO of the Mubadala Investment Company. Mubadala is one of the world's leading sovereign investment funds and a pivotal player in the UAE's economic landscape.
The discussions with Al Mubarak were wide-ranging. The two leaders exchanged perspectives on the evolving global geo-economic situation and underscored the mutual necessity to further fortify India-UAE relations. A key part of the conversation involved Dr. Jaishankar briefing the Mubadala CEO on the emerging opportunities for economic cooperation in India, highlighting sectors ripe for investment and collaboration under India's growth narrative.
Implications for the India-UAE Partnership
These back-to-back meetings in Abu Dhabi signal a robust and forward-moving bilateral agenda. The focus on defence and economic cooperation represents the twin pillars of the relationship. While economic ties, powered by energy trade, investments, and the large Indian diaspora, are already strong, the push for deeper defence collaboration adds a vital strategic dimension.
Furthermore, engaging with a financial powerhouse like Mubadala indicates a clear intent to channel long-term capital into India's infrastructure and technology sectors. The talks on global geo-economics reflect a shared understanding between the two nations on navigating current international uncertainties and supply chain challenges.
In conclusion, Dr. Jaishankar's diplomatic outreach on December 15 successfully reinforced the foundation of one of India's most important relationships in the Gulf region. The outcomes are expected to pave the way for more concrete agreements and collaborative projects in the near future, benefiting both nations.
