UAE Scraps Islamabad Airport deal after India visit

900 Indian nationals released from Emirates prisons

New Delhi – In the aftermath of the recent three-hour visit to India by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, significant shifts are becoming evident in South Asia’s strategic landscape. Underscoring its deepening friendship with India, the United Arab Emirates has announced the release of 900 Indian nationals held in its prisons. At the same time, the UAE has delivered a severe economic blow to Pakistan by cancelling its agreement to operate Islamabad International Airport.

🚨 UAE President Visit: Big Win for India 🇮🇳🤝🇦🇪

Soon after returning from India, Sheikh Mohammed approved the release of 900 Indian prisoners from UAE jails; a clear signal of rock-solid ties with New Delhi.

💰 $3B LNG deal signed

🛡️ Trade & defence ties boosted

✈️ UAE… pic.twitter.com/3KwiwiKbIY

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) January 25, 2026

Pakistan’s ‘Express Tribune’ has confirmed that the UAE has withdrawn entirely from the project. While “loss of interest” has been cited as the official reason, strategic experts point to the rapidly strengthening India–UAE partnership, coupled with Pakistan’s growing alignment with Saudi Arabia, as the real factors behind this decision.

Pakistan under pressure

The cancellation of the airport agreement, signed in August 2025, has placed Pakistan in a difficult position. Its civil aviation sector is already crippled by corruption, mismanagement, and obsolete infrastructure. Reports suggest that the UAE was displeased after Pakistan recently concluded a major defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, a regional rival of the Emirates.

It is noteworthy that Pakistan had once played a role in the establishment of Emirates Airlines in the 1980s. However, present developments indicate that the UAE is no longer prepared to trust Pakistan. While Emirati entities continue to operate airports even in volatile regions such as Afghanistan, their decision to withdraw from Pakistan is being seen as a clear signal of shifting priorities. This development highlights the increasing strategic importance accorded to relations with India.