Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his six-day, five-nation tour with a high-stakes visit to the UAE as tensions continue to rise across West Asia. In a dramatic gesture, UAE F-16 fighter jets escorted Air India One into Abu Dhabi airspace before PM Modi held crucial talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. With the Strait of Hormuz crisis disrupting global oil and gas supplies, India and the UAE signed major agreements on LPG supplies, strategic petroleum reserves and defence cooperation. The UAE also announced a massive $5 billion investment push into India covering infrastructure, banking and housing sectors.

In the ongoing BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered a fiery speech, launching a blistering attack on the US, Israel and even the UAE. Tehran accused Washington and Tel Aviv of “illegal aggression” and claimed the West used “false nuclear excuses” to justify conflict against Iran. In a major escalation, Iran also alleged that the UAE played a secret role during the conflict and refused to condemn strikes on Tehran. Abu Dhabi has strongly denied the allegations.