In a big gesture for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) deployed its fighter jet to escort his aircraft to Abu Dhabi on Friday afternoon.
A video showed the UAE Air Force F-16 Block 60 ‘Desert Falcon’ fighter jet 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’s aircraft being escorted into Abu Dhabi by UAE Air Force F-16 Block 60 ‘Desert Falcon’ fighters. pic.twitter.com/rsTfVMWaEq
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) May 15, 2026
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.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi being accorded a guard of honour, as he lands in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on the first leg of his 5-nation visit.
(Video Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/WQbb3SkgD1
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2026
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.
PM @narendramodi has embarked on a 5-nation tour, including UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.
Over the next six days, PM will engage with several world leaders across a wide-ranging agenda aimed at strengthening India’s global partnerships.
His first stop will be… pic.twitter.com/i6UiHrQ7Fq
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 15, 2026
After the Middle East trip, PM Modi will visit the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.