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F-16 Escort Highlights Strong India-UAE Relations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a ceremonial aerial escort from United Arab Emirates Air Force F-16 fighter jets as his aircraft entered UAE airspace on Friday. The gesture highlighted the growing strategic and diplomatic ties between India and the Gulf nation.
In a special diplomatic gesture, a formation of F-16 fighter aircraft from the United Arab Emirates escorted the aircraft carrying Prime Minister Narendra Modi after it entered UAE airspace on Friday.
According to reports from the UAE’s state-run WAM news agency, the Indian Prime Minister’s aircraft was welcomed by a squadron of military jets that sought permission to escort the plane to the airport as a mark of honour and respect.
During his meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as an honour for the people of India.
“The way your air force escorted me today is an honour for the people of India,” Modi said during the meeting, adding that he was pleased to finally meet the UAE leader in person after several telephonic interactions.
The ceremonial escort underscored the close diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnership between India and the UAE, which has strengthened significantly in recent years across areas such as trade, defence cooperation, investment, energy, and technology.
India and the UAE share strong bilateral relations, with both countries regularly engaging in high-level visits and strategic collaborations. The UAE is also home to a large Indian expatriate community and remains one of India’s key partners in the Gulf region.
The visit is expected to further deepen cooperation between the two nations in multiple sectors and reinforce their growing partnership on regional and global issues.