Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) spoke to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussed with him the current situation in West Asia and agreed on ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran-Israel war updates on March 17, 2026"Spoke with my brother HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and conveyed advance Eid greetings.”"We discussed the current situation in West Asia. Reiterated India's strong condemnation of all attacks on the UAE that have resulted in loss of innocent lives and damage to civilian infrastructure," Mr. Modi said in a post on X.Mr. Modi said he and the UAE President agreed on the importance of ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. This was for the second time Mr. Modi spoke to the UAE President ever since U.S.-Israel attacked Iran. Mr. Modi also spoke to a number of leaders from West Asia since the current conflict started and that include those from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Israel and Iran.

Source: The Hindu March 18, 2026 11:52 UTC