Jaishankar visits UAE Oct 14-16 to review India-UAE Strategic Partnership
Synopsis
Jaishankar's UAE visit is not routine diplomacy — it lands as the Middle East rewires India's energy supply chain. The UAE has just leapfrogged the US as India's top LPG supplier, 22 Indian sailors were recently rescued off Ras Al Khaimah, and a Gulf corridor that India depends on for 90% of its Gulf gas imports remains under threat. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership review in Abu Dhabi carries real stakes this time.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar is on an official visit to the UAE from 14 to 16 October 2026 , confirmed by the MEA .
He will review the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a bilateral meeting and attend the 2nd Raisina Middle East event in Abu Dhabi .
The UAE reclaimed its position as India's top LPG supplier in September, accounting for 39% of imports — up from 13% — surpassing the US .
All 22 Indian crew members aboard crude oil tanker MT Gem No.
2 were rescued safely off Ras Al Khaimah coast.
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar of Flydubai FZ1073 , who helped save 174 passengers , is recovering in Abu Dhabi .
India imports 60% of its LPG needs; historically 90% of those came via the Strait of Hormuz .
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 14 October 2026 for a three-day official visit through 16 October, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Wednesday evening. The trip comes at a moment of heightened regional tension and growing strategic weight in the India-UAE bilateral relationship.
Agenda: Strategic Partnership and Raisina Middle East
According to a statement issued by the MEA, Jaishankar will hold a bilateral meeting with his UAE counterpart to review the progress of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was elevated to that status in 2022. He will also participate in discussions at the 2nd edition of the Raisina Middle East event in Abu Dhabi — a diplomatic dialogue platform modelled on New Delhi's flagship Raisina Dialogue.
Visit Set Against Volatile Regional Backdrop
The visit unfolds as the broader Middle East remains under stress. Ongoing conflicts involving Iran and a sharp escalation between Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces in Yemen continue to roil the region. These tensions carry direct consequences for India, which depends heavily on Gulf energy and labour corridors.
Notably, the Consulate General of India in Dubai confirmed on Sunday that all 22 Indian crew members aboard crude oil tanker MT Gem No. 2 were rescued safely after an accident off the Ras Al Khaimah coast. The Consulate stated it was in contact with UAE authorities and extending full assistance to the affected seafarers.
Separately, Indian pilot Smit Machchhar — who reportedly overpowered an attacking co-pilot aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, helping save 174 people onboard — is currently recovering at a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
UAE Reclaims Top Spot as India's LPG Supplier
The visit also coincides with a significant shift in India's energy supply chain. According to data compiled by maritime intelligence firm Kpler, the UAE accounted for 39% of India's LPG imports in September, surging from just 13% in August — overtaking the United States, which had been India's largest cooking gas supplier for the previous six months.
The UAE supplied 547,000 tonnes of LPG in September, a 182% jump from 193,000 tonnes in August. In contrast, US shipments fell 58% — from 323,000 tonnes to a reduced share — with the US accounting for just 23% of India's LPG imports in September, down from 53% in August.
The shift followed the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the continuing Middle East conflict, which had earlier disrupted Gulf supply routes. India imports roughly 60% of its total LPG requirements, and historically 90% of those imports transited through the Hormuz corridor.
Strategic Significance of the Visit
This is the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership's most consequential review cycle given converging pressures — energy realignment, diaspora welfare, and regional security. The UAE is also among India's largest trading partners and hosts one of the world's largest Indian diaspora communities. With the region in flux, the bilateral agenda is likely to extend beyond trade into maritime security and consular coordination.
How the two sides address the evolving LPG supply dynamics, the welfare of Indian workers and seafarers, and the post-Hormuz energy calculus will determine the tangible output of Jaishankar's Abu Dhabi engagements.
Point of View
Every escalation in the Gulf is also a kitchen-cost risk for Indian households. The Raisina Middle East platform, still only in its second edition, is also worth watching — it is quietly becoming India's soft-power lever in a region where China and Western powers are competing for influence. Whether Jaishankar uses this visit to build durable energy and maritime security architecture, or simply reaffirms existing commitments, will reveal how strategically proactive New Delhi is prepared to be.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is EAM Jaishankar visiting the UAE in October 2026?
Jaishankar is on a three-day official visit from 14 to 16 October 2026 to review the progress of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and participate in the 2nd edition of the Raisina Middle East dialogue in Abu Dhabi. The visit was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday evening.
What is the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership?
The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a bilateral framework that elevated ties between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi to their highest diplomatic level. It covers trade, energy, defence cooperation, and diaspora welfare, and is periodically reviewed at the foreign minister level.
Why has the UAE overtaken the US as India's top LPG supplier?
According to data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler, the UAE supplied 39% of India's LPG imports in September 2026, up sharply from 13% in August, after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted Gulf supply routes earlier in the year. The US, which had been the top supplier for six months, saw its share drop to 23% from 53% in August as its shipments fell 58%.
What happened to the 22 Indian crew members aboard MT Gem No. 2?
All 22 Indian crew members aboard crude oil tanker MT Gem No. 2 were rescued safely after an accident off the Ras Al Khaimah coast in the UAE. The Consulate General of India in Dubai confirmed their rescue and said it was in touch with UAE authorities to extend all possible assistance.
Who is pilot Smit Machchhar and why is he in Abu Dhabi?
Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073 who reportedly overpowered an attacking co-pilot and helped save 174 people onboard. He is currently recovering at a hospital in Abu Dhabi following the incident.
