Jaishankar meets Ras Al Khaimah ruler to discuss India-UAE ties and Gulf

S Jaishankar met Ras Al Khaimah's ruler to discuss India-UAE ties and the Gulf situation. The talks underscored efforts to deepen strategic and regional engagement.Stock photo used for illustrationAbudhabi,Oct 16, 2026 16:26 ISTExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and a member of the UAE's Supreme Council, on Friday to discuss India-UAE ties and the situation in the Gulf, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The meeting took place during Jaishankar's three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates to review the progress of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.Following the meeting, Jaishankar said in a post on X: "An honour to meet HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah & member of the UAE Supreme Council.""Grateful for his insights on further strengthening India-UAE ties and deepening engagements with the region. The situation in the Gulf also came up for discussion," he added, according to Press Trust of India. Ras Al Khaimah is one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. Located near the country's northernmost point, it shares an international border with Oman and stretches along the Gulf coast next to the Strait of Hormuz.On Wednesday, Jaishankar met his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and exchanged views on bilateral and global issues. India and the UAE have expanded cooperation in trade, investment, energy, defence and security in recent years. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into force in May 2022, provides a framework for increasing bilateral trade and economic engagement.The UAE is an important partner for India in the Gulf region. It is home to a large Indian expatriate community and is a key source of energy supplies and investment.According to the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi, Indians form the largest ethnic community in the UAE, accounting for about 35 per cent of the country's population. Around 4.3 million Indian nationals lived in the UAE in 2024.Jaishankar's visit focused on reviewing the India-UAE strategic partnership, strengthening bilateral and regional engagement, and exchanging views on the situation in the Gulf.With PTI Inputs- Ends