Prime Minister Shri.Narendra Modi on Sunday evening landed at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport to begin his two-day visit as the first Indian PM visiting United Arab Emirates (UAE) in over three decades.
During his UAE visit, PM Modi is expected to seek enhanced cooperation in key areas of trade and counter-terrorism. He will also promote India as an attractive investment destination.
Upon his arrival at Abu Dhabi airport, PM Narendra Modi was received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
There was a ceremonial greeting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was accompanied out of the airport by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, PM Modi took to microblogging website twitter to announce about his arrival in Abu Dhabi and then thank the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his gesture. PM’s tweet was published both in English and Arabic language.
PM Modi then met with the UAE dignitaries and exchanged pleasantries with them.
Modi, who has come under fire for BJP’s affiliation to hard-line Hindu groups, is scheduled to visit Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and meet with Indian migrant workers here today.
A key centre of Islamic culture, the mosque is known for its architectural masterpiece of Islamic architecture design. Constructed from 1996 to 2007, the mosque can accommodate around 40,000 people.
Later, the PM will visit ICAD Residential City top, which is a labour camp housing workers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
PM Modi, will also will hold talks with the leadership of world’s second largest Arab economy.
The issue of ISIS threat is likely to be part of talks between the PM and UAE leadership which considers the terror group as a major threat.
Indian ambassador to UAE, TP Seetharam, had yesterday said that PM Modi`s visit can open up great possibilities and deepen existing relations. “The diplomacy gets a boost when the Prime Minister of a country comes for a visit. A visit like this would open up greater possibilities for the huge Indian community here,” Seetharam said.
During the two-day visit, Modi will address the Indian diaspora, hold talks with the leadership of world’s second largest Arab economy on terrorism and seek to enhance cooperation in energy and trade and reach out to investors to hardsell India as an attractive business destination.
Apart from discussions with the Crown Prince, who is also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Modi will also hold talks with Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tomorrow.
Given that late Indira Gandhi was the last Indian Prime Minister to have visited UAE in 1981, Modi’s trip is being seen as an opportunity to boost India-UAE ties in key areas of trade and security.
(Source UAE Agent)
Prasanta Patnaik