Wonder what was the reason for UAE president to visit India on such short notice for a 1.5 hours meeting! There appears to be some realignment going on in West Asia. The recent Saudi-UAE spat in Yemen, the Iran protests, Turkey-Saudi-Pak axis, Israel-Palestine conflict etc has kept the region on the boil. Looks like there is lot boiling under the surface in many countries.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 20 Jan 2026 08:56
by uddu
3 hours, Defence Deal: Why UAE President Suddenly Visited India | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G The UAE's president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited India for a short, surprise visit amid rising tensions in West Asia. Though MBZ's trip lasted just 3 hours, both India and the UAE agreed to strike a strategic defence partnership. The visit and the defence boost come amid a UAE-Saudi split and a recent Saudi-Pakistan mutual defence treaty. Palki Sharma tells you why the UAE president came to India.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 20 Jan 2026 09:36
by uddu
Cross posting from Modi 3.0 India First: Gaurav Sawant With Panel Discuss PM Modi-MBZ Meet And Trump's 'Board Of Peace' For Gaza In this episode of India First, host Gaurav Sawant, Managing Editor at India Today, analyses the strategic significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent high-level visit to the United Arab Emirates. Joined by Pranay Upadhyay and Sushant Sarin, Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, Sawant explores the 'substantive' nature of the bilateral agreements signed, ranging from space sector development to nuclear energy and investment. A key highlight of the discussion is the invitation from Donald Trump for India to join a 'Board of Peace' for Gaza. Sawant notes, 'Donald Trump, the Mrs.5 president, has invited several countries, including India, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to be a part of the Board of Peace for Gaza.' The panel examines the shifting geopolitics in West Asia, including the UAE-Saudi Arabia dynamics and the impact of Indian expatriates in the region. The debate also touches upon the defense pacts involving Pakistan and Turkey, questioning India's potential role in regional peace initiatives.