- Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The Indian PM will meet UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and be given a ceremonial welcome at the Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (13) reached Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a much anticipated two-day tour. He has some high-profile schedules packed up during the short tour that include inaugurating the UAE’s first Hindu temple in the desert city.
The current visit is Modi’s seventh to the UAE, which signifies the extent to which India’s ties with the Middle Eastern nation have deepened during his rule.
The Indian PM will meet UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and be given a ceremonial welcome at the Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace. The two leaders will hold bilateral meetings following the reception.
Read: Modi eyes deeper ties with UAE, Qatar ahead of yet another Middle East tour
Immensely grateful to my brother, HH @MohamedBinZayed, for taking the time to receive me at Abu Dhabi airport.
I look forward to a productive visit which will further strength the friendship between India and UAE. ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/OWQivfszI2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2024
It may be mentioned here that Al Nahyan visited the western Indian state of Gujarat last month to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit business event as the chief guest. The two leaders have grown a close relationship and nurtured it to benefit interests of both nations.
Read: Modi invites Indian diaspora members to attend ‘Ahlan Modi’ in Abu Dhabi: ‘Do join’
My remarks during meeting with HH @MohamedBinZayed in Abu Dhabi.https://t.co/lfLaOZ2LGp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2024
Indian foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said that various agreements and memorandums of understanding would be unveiled after Modi’s meeting with Al Nahyan.
The India-UAE bilateral trade relationship has become stronger following the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into force on May 1, 2022. The bilateral trade now stands at $85 billion (£67 billion).
On Tuesday evening, Modi will address thousands of Indian expats at an event at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The event, named ‘Ahlan Modi’ (Hello Modi in Arabic) has generated massive excitement among the Indian diaspora and the organisers said registrations were closed due to an “overwhelming response” from the Indian community that wanted to hear the Indian PM, Khaleej Times reported.
On Wednesday (14), Modi will address the World Government Summit in Dubai and meet Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai.
The same day evening, the Indian PM will inaugurate the BAPS Hindu temple, the Middle East’s first traditional Hindu sandstone temple, back in Abu Dhabi.
He will depart for Qatar on an official visit from the UAE later on Wednesday.
