Prime Minister Narendra Modi met UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also known as MBZ, on Tuesday and expressed his condolences for the passing of the former president of the Gulf country, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, weeks after the UAE, one of India's closest allies, joined criticism from the Islamic world over remarks made about the Prophet by the now suspended and expelled BJP leaders. The two presidents discussed their bilateral ties as well.

In a unique gesture, Modi was welcomed at the Abu Dhabi presidential airport by Mohamed bin Zayed, who was joined by prominent members of the Royal family. 'I am grateful for my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, coming to meet me at the Abu Dhabi airport as a special gesture. In both Arabic and English, Modi tweeted, 'My appreciation to him.

They are speaking for the first time since Mohamed bin Zayed was chosen as the country's new leader last month. Modi expressed his condolences to Sheikh Khalifa during their meeting after learning of his passing on May 13 at the age of 73 following a protracted illness. He also gave Mohamed bin Zayed his congratulations on becoming president. 

According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, “Both leaders reviewed various aspects of India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which they have carefully nurtured over the past few years.”

 “During their virtual summit on February 18, both countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which has since entered into force on May 1. CEPA is expected to further boost trade and investment between both countries,” according to the announcement.

In FY 2021–22, bilateral trade amounted to almost US$72 billion. UAE is India's second-largest export market and third-largest trading partner. UAE’s FDI in India has expanded over the previous several years and today stands at over $12 billion.

The two nations also published a vision statement at the virtual summit, according to the MEA, outlining the framework for future bilateral cooperation in a range of fields, including commerce, investment, energy, food security, health, defence, skills, and education, culture, and inter-ethnic relations.

'Both presidents expressed delight that India and the UAE are forging tighter ties in these sectors, building on their cordial ties and longstanding connections between the peoples of the two countries. India and the UAE have a solid energy relationship that is currently placing more of an emphasis on renewable energy, the statement added.

In particular, during the Covid-19 epidemic, Modi praised Mohamed bin Zayed for 'taking exceptional care of the 3.5 million Indian people in the UAE,' the MEA reported. He also asked him to travel to India soon, it added.

UAE earlier this month joined the Islamic world in denouncing comments made against the Prophet by BJP officials Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal, who are now suspended and expelled.

In addition to 'underscoring the need to respect religious symbols and not violate them, as well as confront hate speech and violence,' the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) expressed its 'denunciation and rejection of insults of the Prophet' and 'affirmed the UAE's firm rejection of all practises and behaviours that contradict moral and human values and principles.'

While Qatar and Kuwait summoned their Indian embassies, the UAE and Saudi Arabia denounced the remarks. Indian products were removed from a Kuwaiti supermarket's shelves.

Demands for her arrest followed the statements, which were also attributed to conflicts in India.

UAE and India have traditionally gotten along well. The largest expatriate group in the United Arab Emirates, where there are 10 million people, is made up primarily of Indians, who make up 35% of the country's population. India's third-largest export market in the United Arab Emirates. Petroleum products, precious metals, stones, jewels, jewellery, minerals, food, and textiles are among the main exports.

UAE was one of the nations that condemned insults made against the Prophet Muhammad. The circumstance strained the ties between the two nations. PM Modi is making his first trip since the scandal. One hopes that the relationship between the two nations would improve as a result of this visit.