India-UAE Strategic Partnership Gets a Big Push from AI Diplomacy as Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Concludes Delhi Visit
New Delhi, India — India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reaffirmed the strength of their strategic partnership and taken concrete steps to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), technology, investment and other key sectors, following a significant two-day official visit by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to New Delhi.
The visit, which was closely linked with India’s high-profile AI Impact Summit 2026, helped place emerging technologies at the centre of bilateral ties and underscored a shared vision between the two nations for harnessing AI as a force for economic growth and social well-being. The convergence of high-level diplomacy with cutting-edge technology discussions marks a new phase in the evolution of India-UAE relations, moving beyond traditional energy and trade ties into the frontiers of digital innovation.
An Official Visit Tuned to the AI Era
Sheikh Khaled arrived in the Indian capital on February 18 as part of the UAE delegation attending the two-day summit — a global platform bringing together government leaders, policymakers, industry chiefs and experts to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and its implications for sustainable development. During his reception in New Delhi, he was welcomed with formal honours and cordial greetings from Indian officials, reflecting the depth of diplomatic engagement between the two friendly nations.
The Crown Prince’s participation in the summit sent a powerful signal about the UAE’s commitment to positioning itself at the forefront of global AI discourse. His presence alongside other world leaders and technology executives demonstrated that Gulf nations are not merely consumers of AI technology but active shapers of its development and governance.
The AI Impact Summit, hosted by India this year, is noteworthy for being the first of its kind in the Global South and has acted as a backdrop for discussions on responsible AI cooperation, governance, safety and global partnerships. This focus on artificial intelligence aligns with both India’s and the UAE’s broader strategies to leverage technology for economic transformation and job creation, while ensuring that AI development remains human-centric and ethically grounded.
High-Level Bilateral Talks
A central highlight of the Crown Prince’s visit was his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit. The talks covered various dimensions of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE — a relationship that has grown rapidly in recent years across trade, investment, culture and people-to-people ties, evolving into one of the most consequential partnerships in the region.
Leaders from both sides emphasised the importance of deepening collaboration in emerging areas such as advanced technology, space, healthcare and insurance, in addition to traditional sectors like energy and trade where cooperation has long been robust. They also encouraged continued two-way investment flows, with UAE sovereign wealth funds being urged to expand their investments in India’s dynamic economy, which continues to be one of the fastest-growing major economies globally.
The discussions between the UAE Crown Prince and PM Modi also underscored the need for long-term cooperation in technology and digital transformation — recognising India’s growing role as a global hub for AI innovation and the UAE’s ambition to become a leading smart economy driven by digital solutions. Both nations share a vision of technology as an enabler of inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Agreements and Initiatives for the Future
One tangible outcome of the visit was the finalisation of strategic collaborations and agreements that will underpin future cooperation. Notably, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention. This pact is intended to strengthen ties in areas like institutional cooperation, professional exchanges, digital health, pharmaceuticals, and research, laying groundwork for enhanced healthcare innovation that could benefit both nations’ populations.
The health sector collaboration opens possibilities for joint research in areas such as telemedicine, medical education, and pharmaceutical development, leveraging India’s strengths in generic drug manufacturing and the UAE’s advanced healthcare infrastructure.
Another major development was a term sheet agreed upon between Indian and UAE technology organisations — including the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) , UAE-based tech group G42, and the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence — aimed at deploying a supercomputing cluster in India. This initiative represents a significant investment in AI research infrastructure, with the potential to accelerate innovation and capacity building across multiple sectors including climate modelling, drug discovery, and materials science.
The supercomputing partnership will provide Indian researchers and startups access to world-class computational resources, enabling them to compete globally in AI development. For UAE entities, the collaboration offers opportunities to tap into India’s vast talent pool and participate in the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
A Broadening Strategic Agenda
While artificial intelligence has been a central theme, the broader agenda of the Crown Prince’s visit and the summit reflects a multifaceted vision for India-UAE relations. Observers note that this engagement goes far beyond traditional economic cooperation, extending into technology diplomacy, research partnerships, and shared approaches to regulatory and ethical frameworks for AI that could serve as models for other bilateral relationships.
The two nations are exploring cooperation in areas including:
Space technology, building on India’s successful space programme and the UAE’s Mars mission achievements, with potential for joint satellite development and launch services.
Renewable energy, leveraging India’s ambitious renewable targets and the UAE’s expertise as a global energy leader transitioning toward sustainability.
Education and skill development, creating pathways for students and professionals to benefit from both countries’ educational institutions and training programmes.
Startup ecosystem collaboration, connecting India’s vibrant startup scene with UAE’s world-class infrastructure and access to Gulf markets.
The Crown Prince’s presence at the summit, his exchanges with global leaders, and his meetings with Indian officials demonstrate the UAE’s commitment to being an active partner in shaping global AI discourse, as well as its interest in aligning closely with India’s rapid technological ascent. This alignment positions both countries to influence how AI develops globally, ensuring that the technology serves human needs and respects diverse cultural contexts.
Deepening Ties for Shared Growth
Overall, the visit capped off a period of enhanced diplomatic engagement between India and the UAE, reaffirming ties that encompass government cooperation, private sector collaboration and cultural connectivity that has deep historical roots through trade and people-to-people exchanges spanning centuries.
The Indian diaspora in the UAE, numbering over three million, represents one of the largest expatriate communities in the Gulf and serves as a living bridge between the two nations. Their contributions to both economies underscore the human dimension of the partnership that complements high-level diplomatic initiatives.
As both nations set their sights on future-oriented sectors like artificial intelligence, digital health and advanced computing, this visit marks a significant moment in the evolution of a partnership that has already grown in scale and ambition in recent years. The India-UAE relationship today encompasses not only traditional areas of cooperation but also the frontiers of technology where the future will be built.
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Looking Ahead
The outcomes of Sheikh Khaled’s visit will unfold over coming months as agreements are implemented and new initiatives launched. The supercomputing cluster will take shape, providing researchers with tools to tackle complex challenges. Health sector collaboration will deepen, potentially yielding innovations applicable beyond both countries. Investment flows will continue, creating jobs and economic opportunities.
For the broader region, the India-UAE partnership offers a model of how nations can work together to harness technology for development while ensuring its benefits are widely shared. As AI reshapes global economies, such collaborations will become increasingly valuable.
Sheikh Khaled’s visit concludes. New agreements signed. The India-UAE strategic partnership enters its AI era.
