- Monday, July 08, 2024
The Indian PM told the audience he brought the fragrance of the soil where they were born and a message of 1.4 billion people: ‘Bharat is very proud of you’.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (13) addressed members of the Indian diaspora in the ‘Ahlan Modi’ (Hello Modi in Arabic) event held at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Speaking to a large audience, the Indian leader said every person’s heart was connected at the venue and every heartbeat was saying “Bharat-UAE Dosti Zindabad” (Long live India-UAE friendship).
In an outreach, Modi said he visited the UAE to meet his “family members”.
“I have brought the fragrance of the soil where you were born and have brought the message of 140 crore (1.4 billion) people. The message is that Bharat is proud of you,” he said.
Read: Modi thanks UAE president for BAPS temple: ‘Shows your love for India’
Overwhelmed by the affection at the #AhlanModi community programme in Abu Dhabi.https://t.co/dZJ5oPz73R
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2024
The prime minister, who earlier met an enthusiastic group of diaspora members outside the hotel where he checked in in Abu Dhabi, said the love he found was extraordinary and expressed gratitude.
Read: India, UAE exchange MoUs as Modi holds talks with Al Nahyan, calls him ‘brother’
Incredibly honoured by the warm welcome from the Indian Community in Abu Dhabi today. The vibrancy of our diaspora never ceases to amaze me. pic.twitter.com/yqQRRoEAEu
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2024
Calling the president of the UAE “brother” once again, the Indian PM said, “Your enthusiasm, your voice is echoing in Abu Dhabi. I thank you for coming here. I want to thank my brother Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zahyed (UAE President). This wouldn’t have been possible without him, his respect toward me is a priced possession for me.”
Read: Woman at ‘Ahlan Modi’ event says she will dance in wheelchair as euphoria builds
Recalling his first visit to the UAE as the prime minister of India, Modi said the world of diplomacy for him was new at the time.
“The first visit made me feel like I’ve come to the house of a person whom I’m close to,” he said.
Modi has now visited the UAE seven times starting in 2015 and the third time in the last eight months.
He said president Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s warmth when he came to receive him at the airport remained as it was in 2015.
“I’m very honoured to welcome him 4 times in India. Our ties are getting stronger by the day,” Modi said.
Al Nahyan visited India’s Gujarat last month to attend the Vibrant Gujarat business summit as the chief guest and on that occasion, Modi had received him at the airport in Ahmedabad.
Recalling the UAE leader accepting his proposal to build a temple in Abu Dhabi in 2015, Modi added, “In 2015, when I presented to him (Al Nahyan) the proposal to build a temple in Abu Dhabi on behalf of all of you, he immediately said yes to it…now the time has come to inaugurate this grand (BAPS) temple.”
“Our relation is that of talent, innovation and culture. In the past, we have re-energised our relations, in every direction. The two countries have walked together and have gone ahead together. Today, UAE is India’s third largest trade partner. Today, the goal of every Indian is to make India a developed country by 2047. The country in the world whose economy is growing at a rapid pace? It’s our Bharat. The world’s largest milk producer is our Bharat. Which country in the world is the 2nd largest manufacturer? Our Bharat,” he added.
Modi also reiterated his promise made to Indians at home that in his third term, which he and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party feel will happen in this year’s general election, India will go on to become the third-largest economy in the world. He said when it is Modi’s guarantee, it will certainly be fulfilled.
