Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Friday said India is ready to extend all possible support to bring peace in West Asia during his talks with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
VIDEO | Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in the UAE, marking the beginning of a five-nation visit that will also include the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.
PM Modi was welcomed at Abu Dhabi airport by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He received a… pic.twitter.com/pKvSIBAw8X
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 15, 2026
The meeting took place shortly after PM Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi on the first leg of his five-nation tour, which also includes visits to four European countries.
In his opening remarks, Modi said, “We condemned the attacks on the UAE.” He further stated, “The way UAE has been targeted is not acceptable,” but added that “the way UAE has handled the current situation with restraint is praiseworthy.”
Highlighting the global impact of the conflict in West Asia, he further stated, “India is ready to extend all possible support to bring peace in West Asia.”
PM Modi was received at the airport by the UAE President, underlining the importance attached to his visit. He was also accorded a guard of honour.
“I extend my thanks to my brother Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his gracious gesture in receiving me at Abu Dhabi Airport,” Modi said in a social media post. “And I look forward to our discussions aimed at strengthening the ties between India and the UAE across key sectors such as energy, investment, supply chains, and more,” he added.
أتوجه بالشكر إلى أخي صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن زايد آل نهيان، رئيس دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة، على لفتته الكريمة باستقبالي في مطار أبوظبي. وإنني أتطلع إلى مباحثاتنا الرامية إلى تعزيز الروابط بين الهند والإمارات عبر قطاعات مهمة، مثل الطاقة والاستثمار وسلاسل التوريد وغيرها.… pic.twitter.com/usOIZxG7HA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 15, 2026
F-16 aircraft escort PM Modi’s plane in UAE airspace
In a special gesture, a formation of F-16 fighter aircraft of the UAE escorted PM Modi’s plane after it entered the country’s airspace on Friday.
“The way your air force escorted me today is an honour for the people of India. For quite some time, we had been speaking over the phone, but I was eager to meet you personally. I am very happy to meet you today,” Modi told the UAE President during their meeting.
According to the state-run WAM news agency, the squadron leader had requested permission to escort the aircraft to the airport as a gesture of welcome. PM Modi was also given a ceremonial welcome on arrival.
PM Modi to visit Europe in next leg of five-nation tour
On the second leg of his trip, PM Modi will visit the Netherlands from Friday, May 15, to Sunday, May 17.
From the Netherlands, PM Modi will travel to Sweden at the invitation of his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson for a two-day trip, starting Sunday.
In the fourth leg of his visit, he will undertake a visit to Norway from Monday, May 18, to Tuesday, May 19, to attend the third India-Nordic Summit as well as to hold bilateral talks with the leadership of the country.
On the final leg of his visit, PM Modi will undertake a official two-day visit to Italy from Tuesday at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni.
(With PTI inputs)