In a first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades, Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day trip to the UAE from August 16 during which he will hold talks with the leadership there on key issues of trade and security and address the Indian community. Though no formal announcement has been made about the Prime Ministerial visit, according to official sources, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi and Dubai during his two-day visit, which is expected to further boost the strong economic, cultural and social ties between India and the second largest Arab economy.
The visit will be first-ever in 34 years by any Indian Prime Minister. Late Indira Gandhi was the last Prime Minister to travel to United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1981. Shri Narendra Modi’s visit also assumes great significance given that there has been very little progress seen in implementing various pacts particularly in the field of counter terrorism and enhancing maritime security. ”The Indian leader’s visit is expected to give a fillip to bilateral cooperation in key areas and boost trade and investment ties, which are the cornerstone of the UAE-India partnership,” sources said.
According to official data, UAE is the second largest export destination of India with an amount of over USD 30 billion for the year 2013-14.
Indian expatriate community is the largest ethnic community in UAE constituting roughly about 30 per cent of the Gulf country’s population. The Indian community is planning a grand reception for Prime Minister Modi at the Dubai Cricket Stadium Grounds.
“An organising committee has been formed to make this a grand success…Transport arrangements are being made from the nearest Metro Stations, Dubai Mall and Dubai Internet City for facilitating the community members to attend the reception,” Indian Community Welfare Community (ICWC) said in a statement. A website and a Social network media page page have been set up to facilitate the Indian community’s visit to the site of the reception.
Prasanta Patnaik