Diplomatic elegance unfolded in New Delhi as Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his entourage to his Lok Kalyan Marg residence. The occasion brimmed with symbolic gifts that wove together threads of Indian tradition and bilateral affinity.
A standout presentation was the Gujarat-sourced jhula, a wooden swing etched with delicate floral engravings. Emblematic of familial cohesion in Gujarat, it resonates deeply with UAE’s upcoming ‘Year of Family’ initiative for 2026, promoting generational dialogue at home.
Sheikh Mohamed received a fine Kashmiri pashmina shawl in a Telangana-made silver repository, embodying the valley’s artisanal finesse in wool. Its feather-light warmth has long captivated connoisseurs.
Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi was honored with a pashmina shawl in silver finery and exquisite Kashmiri saffron, housed in a matching box. This saffron, from Kashmir’s high-altitude farms, boasts unmatched flavor and fragrance on the world stage.
Amid global headwinds—including American disputes with China over distant territories, Iran’s unrest, and UAE-Saudi frictions—this high-level huddle underscores India-UAE resilience. It’s a timely affirmation of steadfast alliance.
Economically, the duo’s trade hit $100.06 billion in FY 2024-25, a 19.6% leap, cementing UAE’s elite status among India’s partners. Expansions in energy, defense, investment, and technology propel this trajectory.
Recalling PM Modi’s 2019 bestowal of Order of Zayed, these interactions blend protocol with profundity, heralding sustained collaboration in an unpredictable era.