- UAE fighter jets escorted PM Modi’s aircraft to Abu Dhabi during his state visit
- PM Modi landed amid global energy crisis due to Middle East war
- He was welcomed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
In a big gesture for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) deployed its fighter jets to escort his aircraft to Abu Dhabi on Friday afternoon.
A video showed the UAE Air Force F-16 Block 60 'Desert Falcon' fighter jets escorting PM Modi's aircraft, a custom-modified Boeing 777-300ER, which bears the call sign 'Air India One' when he is on board.
PM Modi landed in Abu Dhabi amid the global energy crisis due to the war in the Middle East.
He was welcomed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He also received a guard of honour after arrival.
PM Modi thanked his "brother", Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the "special gesture".
PM Modi's one-day trip to oil-rich UAE, which coincides with a fuel price hike in India, is aimed at strengthening New Delhi's energy security and further cementing the bilateral ties between the two countries.
Big Returns From PM Modi's Short UAE Visit
PM Modi held talks with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on key areas of cooperation, including trade, investment, energy security, and people-to-people ties.
During the meeting, the two countries signed memorandums of understanding in the areas of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Strategic Petroleum Reserves.
The pacts are expected to further deepen strategic and economic engagement between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi, one of India's key partners in the Gulf region.
The UAE is India's third-largest trade partner and its seventh-largest source of investment cumulatively over the past 25 years.
After the Middle East trip, PM Modi will visit the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.
