Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has demonstrated extraordinary diplomatic prowess by strengthening ties with Gulf states, particularly the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. An important milestone is the inauguration of a magnificent Hindu temple in the UAE, a testament to the close relationship between Modi and UAE leaders, especially President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The $84 million temple complex, built on 27 acres of land donated by the UAE president, marks the deepening ties between the two countries. The UAE’s supportive stance towards India is not limited to the temple inauguration. The UAE is also an important ally of India. The UAE’s progress under the leadership of the Crown Prince, coupled with shared strategic interests and economic cooperation, have cemented the friendship between the two countries. The annual trade volume between India and the UAE reaches US$84 billion, making the UAE the third largest trading partner of India. The UAE’s acceptance of the Indian payment system and recognition of India’s potential further cements the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries. In stark contrast, Qatar’s diplomatic landscape poses challenges for India, with eight retired Indian naval officers facing devastating death sentences on espionage charges. Modi’s deft diplomacy combined with personal intervention resulted in the death penalty being commuted to life imprisonment and eventually released. This success was followed by a visit to Qatar to sign a favorable LNG deal worth $78 billion, demonstrating India’s growing geopolitical relevance. With the conclusion of the ‘Sada Tanseeq’ military exercise, Saudi Arabia has also figured prominently in India’s diplomatic achievements. The exercise reflects the strengthening of strategic ties between Riyadh and New Delhi. While not as progressive as the UAE, Saudi Arabia’s approach to India is in mutual interest as both countries are members of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).