India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, is on a significant two-nation tour, strengthening strategic partnerships in the Middle East. His diplomatic engagements began in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, December 16, 2025, followed by a scheduled visit to Israel on Tuesday.
Productive Discussions with UAE Leadership
During his stop in Abu Dhabi, Jaishankar held high-level meetings with key figures in the UAE government. He was honoured to call on His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Vice President of the UAE. The minister described their conversation as a "productive discussion on deepening economic and defence cooperation" in a post on social media platform X.
In addition, Jaishankar met with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. To further the economic agenda of the visit, the External Affairs Minister also held talks with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, the Chief Executive Officer of the Mubadala Investment Company, a major sovereign wealth fund.
Next Stop: High-Stakes Israel Visit
The minister's itinerary then takes him to Israel on Tuesday, December 17. Here, he is set to meet his Israeli counterpart, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, for bilateral discussions. The highlight of the Israel leg is the anticipated meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties in a Key Region
This back-to-back visit underscores India's focused and active diplomacy in the West Asia region. The talks in the UAE, a comprehensive strategic partner, likely covered expanding trade, investment, energy security, and defence collaboration. The move to Israel immediately after highlights the importance New Delhi places on its relationship with another key strategic partner, with discussions expected to encompass defence technology, agriculture, and regional security dynamics.
Jaishankar's shuttle diplomacy between these two influential Middle Eastern nations demonstrates India's balanced and pragmatic foreign policy approach. It aims to bolster mutually beneficial partnerships independently, focusing on specific national interests in economic cooperation, defence, and technology.
