Rajya Sabha polls on agenda as BJP leaders huddle at PM Modi’s residence today
The elections for 24 Rajya Sabha seats spread across 10 states are set to take place on June 18, as announced by the Election Commission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held wide-ranging talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, with the two countries signing a series of agreements covering defence cooperation, energy security, infrastructure and investment.
The visit, though brief, produced significant announcements for India, including a framework agreement on a Strategic Defence Partnership, an MoU on strategic petroleum reserves, an LPG supply agreement, and a ship repair cluster project at Vadinar. The UAE also announced investments worth $5 billion in Indian infrastructure, RBL Bank and Samman Capital.
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Speaking during delegation-level talks, PM Modi told the UAE President, “I used to keep speaking to you over the phone, but I was very eager to meet you in person.”
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The meetings marked the first leg of PM Modi’s five-nation tour and underscored the growing strategic and economic importance of India-UAE ties at a time when energy security and investment flows remain key priorities for New Delhi.
The agreements were exchanged in the presence of PM Modi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan shortly after the Indian Prime Minister arrived in Abu Dhabi.
#WATCH | Abu Dhabi, UAE | India and UAE exchange MoUs in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
(Video: DD) pic.twitter.com/qlS2nRXfVI
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2026
Earlier in the day, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour on arrival in the UAE capital. His aircraft was also escorted by UAE F-16 fighter jets as it entered the country’s airspace.
India-UAE talks focus on defence, energy and investment
According to official details shared during the visit, both sides discussed expanding cooperation across trade, technology, energy, culture and people-to-people ties.
Energy security emerged as a central focus of the discussions, with India and the UAE moving ahead on agreements related to LPG supplies and strategic petroleum reserves.
The UAE is currently India’s third-largest trading partner and the seventh-largest source of investment into the country over the last 25 years, according to the MEA.
Officials also highlighted the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening bilateral relations. More than 4.5 million Indians live and work in the UAE, making it one of the largest overseas Indian communities globally.
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