Jaishankar Welcomes UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah in Mumbai for Talks

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he was looking forward to bilateral talks with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai.

“Delighted to welcome DPM & FM UAE @ABZayed to Mumbai. Look forward to our talks,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a social media post.

Two-day visit focused on key areas

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan had landed in Mumbai on Monday (October 19) evening for a two-day visit.

The visit is expected to focus on further enhancing India-UAE bilateral ties in trade, energy and defence.

Sheikh Abdullah, who is also the UAE’s Foreign Minister, is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with Mr. Jaishankar on Tuesday (October 20).

The discussions are expected to cover the broader relationship between the two countries and areas identified for further cooperation.

The UAE leader was received at the airport by Maharashtra’s Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha.

West Asia situation also on agenda

The two Foreign Ministers are also expected to deliberate on the overall situation in West Asia.

Their discussions are expected to include the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia.

The regional situation adds a wider foreign-policy dimension to talks that are also focused on trade, energy, defence and other areas of bilateral engagement.

Partnership and cooperation

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the visit reflected the “close and regular engagement” between India and the UAE.

“This high-level visit reflects the close and regular engagement between India and UAE, and will further strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Mr. Jaiswal said on social media.

Mr. Jaiswal had said on Friday (October 16, 2026) that the two sides would assess and advance initiatives in energy, trade and investment, fintech, defence and connectivity.

The talks therefore bring together both established areas of cooperation and sectors identified for advancing bilateral initiatives.

With inputs from PTI.

Source: The Hindu