Jaishankar co-chairs Joint Commission Meeting, Strategic Dialogue with UAE
New Delhi, December 16. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on December 15 to attend the 16th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting and the fifth round of the India–UAE Strategic Dialogue, underscoring the growing depth of ties between the two countries.
The meetings were co-chaired by Jaishankar and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two sides carried out a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, covering trade and investment, energy, connectivity, defence and security, development cooperation, technology, health, culture, education and people-to-people exchanges.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made under the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and agreed on a set of new initiatives and an action-oriented agenda to further strengthen cooperation across priority sectors over the coming year.
The discussions also included an exchange of views on regional and global developments, particularly the situation in West Asia. Jaishankar and Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional peace, stability and prosperity, and agreed to enhance coordination and cooperation on issues of mutual concern. They reiterated their commitment to the implementation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and to working together for the Global South.
During the talks, Sheikh Abdullah conveyed the UAE’s support for the AI Impact Summit scheduled to be held in India in February 2026, as well as for India’s presidency of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) grouping in 2026. It was agreed that the next ministerial-level Joint Commission Meeting and Strategic Dialogue would be held in India.
As part of his visit, Jaishankar also called on UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and held discussions with Mubadala Managing Director and CEO Khaldoon Mubarak. These high-level engagements reaffirmed the shared vision of both countries’ leadership to deepen strategic trust, expand economic cooperation and explore new avenues for bilateral and trilateral collaboration.
Earlier, from December 13 to 14, Jaishankar participated in the Sir Bani Yas Forum, where he exchanged views with international leaders and experts on major geopolitical, security and technological challenges facing the world.
