Jaishankar, Modi condole death of Dubai Ruler's brother Sheikh Ahmed, 76
Synopsis
Both Prime Minister Modi and EAM Jaishankar responded within hours to the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — the youngest son of Dubai's founding ruler and brother of the current Ruler — signalling the premium New Delhi places on its ties with the UAE. Dubai has declared a 10-day official mourning period, with flags at half-mast across the emirate.
Key Takeaways
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , brother of Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , died on Monday, 21 September 2026 , aged 76 .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed heartfelt condolences on X, praising Sheikh Ahmed's service to society.
EAM S Jaishankar , currently in the United States , also expressed grief on X and extended sympathies to the Royal Family.
The Court of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum declared a 10-day official mourning period in Dubai, with flags flown at half-mast.
Sheikh Ahmed had served as Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security , Group Chairman of A.R.M.
Holding , and President of Al Wasl Sports Club .
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday, 21 September 2026, expressed deep grief at the passing of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the brother of Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Jaishankar, currently on an official visit to the United States, conveyed India's condolences via a post on X, extending sympathies to the Royal Family and the people of Dubai.
India's Official Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mourned the death, describing Sheikh Ahmed's contributions to public service as something 'cherished by generations to come.' In his post on X, Modi conveyed 'heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Dubai' and said, 'May his soul rest in eternal peace.'
EAM Jaishankar similarly wrote: 'Deeply grieved at the passing of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family and the people of Dubai. May his soul rest in peace.'
Official Mourning Declared in Dubai
The Court of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai — announced that Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum passed away on Monday morning at the age of 76. The Government of Dubai Media Office confirmed a 10-day period of official mourning, during which flags across Dubai are being flown at half-mast. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also paid a personal tribute to his brother.
Who Was Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the fourth and youngest son of the late ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. He held several distinguished positions in public life: Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security, Group Chairman of A.R.M. Holding, and President of Al Wasl Sports Club. His roles spanned security administration, business, and sports governance — reflecting the broad civic responsibilities held by members of the Dubai Royal Family.
India-UAE Ties in Context
The swift responses from both the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister underscore the depth of India's strategic and people-to-people ties with the UAE. India and the UAE have in recent years elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership, with the Indian diaspora forming one of the largest expatriate communities in Dubai. Such high-level condolences from New York — where Jaishankar is currently engaged in diplomatic meetings — signal the priority New Delhi places on this bilateral relationship.
As Dubai observes its 10-day mourning period, further tributes from heads of state and governments worldwide are expected in the coming days.
Point of View
The latter posting from New York — is not accidental protocol. It reflects how central the UAE has become to India's foreign-policy calculus: a destination for millions of Indian workers, a top trading partner, and a strategic interlocutor in the Gulf. What the mainstream coverage underplays is the personal diplomacy dimension: Modi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum have met multiple times, and these gestures build the relational capital that underpins hard negotiations on trade, energy, and remittances. Condolence diplomacy, often dismissed as ceremonial, is in this case a live signal of where the UAE sits in India's foreign-policy hierarchy.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum?
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the fourth and youngest son of the late Dubai ruler Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and the brother of current Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He was 76 at the time of his death and had served as Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security, Group Chairman of A.R.M. Holding, and President of Al Wasl Sports Club.
What did PM Modi say about Sheikh Ahmed's death?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X that he was 'deeply saddened' by the passing, praised Sheikh Ahmed's efforts to serve society, and conveyed 'heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Dubai.' He added, 'May his soul rest in eternal peace.'
What did EAM Jaishankar say?
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, posting from the United States where he is on an official visit, said he was 'deeply grieved' and extended thoughts to the Royal Family and the people of Dubai. He prayed for the soul to rest in peace.
Has Dubai declared mourning for Sheikh Ahmed?
Yes. The Court of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum declared a 10-day official mourning period in Dubai, effective from Monday, 21 September 2026, with flags flown at half-mast across the emirate.
Why did both India's PM and EAM respond so quickly?
India and the UAE share a Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the Indian diaspora is one of the largest expatriate communities in Dubai. High-level condolences from both PM Modi and EAM Jaishankar reflect the strategic and people-to-people depth of the India-UAE bilateral relationship.
