On May 15, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where he was ceremonially welcomed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. A notable gesture included the escort of Modi's aircraft, a custom-modified Boeing 777-300ER known as 'Air India One', by an F-16 Block 60 'Desert Falcon' fighter jet from the UAE Air Force. This visit occurs amid a global energy crisis exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and coincides with rising fuel prices in India. During his brief stay, Modi engaged in talks with President Al Nahyan, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation in key areas such as trade, investment, and energy security. The two nations signed important memorandums of understanding related to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Strategic Petroleum Reserves, which are expected to deepen their economic and strategic ties. The UAE stands as India's third-largest trade partner and has been a significant source of investment over the last 25 years. Modi's trip to the UAE marks the first leg of a broader five-nation tour that will also take him to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy.