Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed on September 12, 2026, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The leaders reiterated the significance of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which encompasses political, cultural, commercial, energy, and people-to-people relations. They recalled recent high-level visits, including UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to India in January 2026 and Prime Minister Modi's visit to the UAE in May 2026.
Prime Minister Modi appreciated the UAE's active participation in BRICS under India's chairship, and both leaders welcomed positive outcomes from the summit. They agreed to continue working closely through the BRICS platform to advance shared interests and priorities while strengthening BRICS cooperation.
The meeting highlighted significant progress in bilateral relations across multiple sectors. Notably, UAE's International Holding Company announced plans to invest $11.5 billion in developing an integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, representing India's largest integrated aluminium investment. This project is expected to position Odisha as a global aluminium manufacturing hub.
Leaders also discussed the potential role of L'Imad, the UAE's newest sovereign investment fund, in deepening the India-UAE partnership for mutual benefit. Additional areas for enhanced cooperation included defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation. The visit reaffirmed the tradition of regular leadership-level engagement and the generational continuity underlying the enduring India-UAE relationship.