Editorial

The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, commencing today, January 19, and running through January 23, arrives at a moment of profound global turbulence. Under the banner of “A Spirit of Dialogue”, the 56th gathering convenes nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, including a record number of heads of state and government—close to 65, with six G7 leaders expected. This year’s theme positions Davos as an impartial platform for candid exchange amid escalating geopolitical fractures, economic realignments, and technological disruptions.

The imperative for dialogue could hardly be more urgent. The past year has witnessed the acceleration of a multipolar world order under strain. U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has reshaped international relations through aggressive unilateralism. His recent threats to impose escalating tariffs—starting at 10% on February 1 and rising to 25% in June—on eight NATO allies (including Denmark, Germany, France, the UK, and others) unless they support U.S. acquisition of Greenland, have provoked sharp rebukes across Europe. EU ambassadors held emergency talks, warning of a “dangerous downward spiral” in transatlantic ties, while contingency plans for retaliatory measures worth billions circulate. This brinkmanship, coupled with interventions in Venezuela and broader challenges to post-WWII norms, underscores the fragility of established alliances and trade frameworks.

Yet, the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue” is not mere idealism; it reflects a pragmatic recognition that confrontation alone yields diminishing returns. The agenda emphasizes cooperation in a contested world, unlocking new growth sources, responsible innovation deployment (especially AI), investing in people, and prosperity within planetary boundaries. Sessions on geopolitical dilemmas, AI governance, economic sovereignty, and the future of war promise to bridge divides. Trump’s in-person presence—his first since 2020—alongside figures like Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, EU leaders, and CEOs from Nvidia to JPMorgan, offers rare face-to-face opportunities for deal-making. As WEF President Børge Brende noted, dialogue is “not a luxury in times of uncertainty; it is an urgent necessity.”

Critics, including voices in The Guardian, view this gathering as potentially the “last-chance saloon” for salvaging a fraying rules-based order, with Trump’s dominance casting a long shadow. Skeptics question whether the “spirit” will translate into substance or merely polite photo-ops amid private-jet emissions. Still, the inclusion of young leaders and next-generation voices signals an effort to broaden perspectives beyond the traditional elite.

In essence, Davos 2026 is a high-stakes test of multilateralism’s relevance in an era of nationalism and disruption. If leaders can harness genuine listening, questioning, and problem-solving—as the theme urges—the forum could catalyze pathways to stability. Failure risks deepening fragmentation, higher costs for global growth, and eroded trust. The coming days will reveal whether dialogue can temper power plays or if the Alpine air will only echo unresolved tensions. The world watches, hoping for more than rhetoric.

The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, commencing today, January 19, and running through January 23, arrives at a moment of profound global turbulence. Under the banner of “A Spirit of Dialogue”, the 56th gathering convenes nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, including a record number of heads of state and government—close to 65, with six G7 leaders expected. This year’s theme positions Davos as an impartial platform for candid exchange amid escalating geopolitical fractures, economic realignments, and technological disruptions.

The imperative for dialogue could hardly be more urgent. The past year has witnessed the acceleration of a multipolar world order under strain. U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has reshaped international relations through aggressive unilateralism. His recent threats to impose escalating tariffs—starting at 10% on February 1 and rising to 25% in June—on eight NATO allies (including Denmark, Germany, France, the UK, and others) unless they support U.S. acquisition of Greenland, have provoked sharp rebukes across Europe. EU ambassadors held emergency talks, warning of a “dangerous downward spiral” in transatlantic ties, while contingency plans for retaliatory measures worth billions circulate. This brinkmanship, coupled with interventions in Venezuela and broader challenges to post-WWII norms, underscores the fragility of established alliances and trade frameworks.

Yet, the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue” is not mere idealism; it reflects a pragmatic recognition that confrontation alone yields diminishing returns. The agenda emphasizes cooperation in a contested world, unlocking new growth sources, responsible innovation deployment (especially AI), investing in people, and prosperity within planetary boundaries. Sessions on geopolitical dilemmas, AI governance, economic sovereignty, and the future of war promise to bridge divides. Trump’s in-person presence—his first since 2020—alongside figures like Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, EU leaders, and CEOs from Nvidia to JPMorgan, offers rare face-to-face opportunities for deal-making. As WEF President Børge Brende noted, dialogue is “not a luxury in times of uncertainty; it is an urgent necessity.”

Critics, including voices in The Guardian, view this gathering as potentially the “last-chance saloon” for salvaging a fraying rules-based order, with Trump’s dominance casting a long shadow. Skeptics question whether the “spirit” will translate into substance or merely polite photo-ops amid private-jet emissions. Still, the inclusion of young leaders and next-generation voices signals an effort to broaden perspectives beyond the traditional elite.

In essence, Davos 2026 is a high-stakes test of multilateralism’s relevance in an era of nationalism and disruption. If leaders can harness genuine listening, questioning, and problem-solving—as the theme urges—the forum could catalyze pathways to stability. Failure risks deepening fragmentation, higher costs for global growth, and eroded trust. The coming days will reveal whether dialogue can temper power plays or if the Alpine air will only echo unresolved tensions. The world watches, hoping for more than rhetoric.

The arrival of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in India on January 19 for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes at a moment of heightened geopolitical flux. With West Asia once again in focus due to renewed discussions around a possible Gaza peace framework under a returning Donald Trump administration in the United States, the India–UAE dialogue assumes significance well beyond bilateral symbolism. It reflects India’s growing role as a trusted interlocutor and the UAE’s emergence as a pragmatic regional stabiliser.

Over the past decade, India–UAE relations have evolved from transactional engagement to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Trade, energy security, investment, defence cooperation, technology, and people-to-people ties now form a dense web of mutual interests. The UAE is among India’s top trading partners and a major investor, while India remains a critical economic and human resource partner for the Emirates. This visit is therefore not merely ceremonial; it is about recalibrating priorities in a rapidly changing global order.

The regional context lends urgency to the talks. West Asia continues to grapple with unresolved conflicts, particularly the Gaza crisis, which has wider implications for regional stability, energy markets, and global diplomacy. With the possibility of a renewed US-led peace initiative under President Trump, regional actors like the UAE are likely to play a key role in shaping outcomes. India, while maintaining its principled support for peace, dialogue, and humanitarian concerns, has also deepened strategic ties with Israel and the Arab world alike. This balanced approach positions New Delhi as a rare actor capable of engaging all sides without ideological rigidity.

For India, the engagement with President bin Zayed offers an opportunity to reinforce its policy of “strategic autonomy” through practical diplomacy. India has consistently avoided entanglement in regional rivalries, instead focusing on economic cooperation, diaspora welfare, and regional stability. Discussions with the UAE leadership are likely to touch upon energy security, food supply chains, defence manufacturing, fintech collaboration, and infrastructure investments, alongside views on regional peace and security.

For the UAE, closer coordination with India aligns with its broader vision of economic diversification and geopolitical moderation. Abu Dhabi has increasingly projected itself as a bridge-builder rather than a partisan power. Its engagement with India underscores a shared belief that stability, development, and connectivity are better guarantors of security than prolonged conflict.

In a world marked by polarisation and uncertainty, the Modi–bin Zayed engagement signals continuity and confidence in partnership-driven diplomacy. While India may not be a direct player in shaping Gaza’s future, its conversations with influential regional partners like the UAE highlight its growing diplomatic weight. The visit, therefore, is not just about strengthening bilateral ties, but about India asserting its role as a calm, credible, and constructive voice in an unsettled world.

• SAS Kirmani