Ahlan Modi | PM gets rousing reception in UAE

New Delhi, Feb 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival immediately engaged in extensive discussions with UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday, aimed at advancing the bilateral strategic partnership between the two nations.

The PM received a warm welcome at the airport from the UAE President, with the two leaders sharing a hug upon meeting.

He was given a rousing official and ceremonial guard of honour.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, PM Modi conveyed his appreciation to the UAE President on X saying, “Immensely grateful to my brother, HH @MohamedBinZayed for taking the time to receive me at Abu Dhabi airport.”

During the bilateral meeting, he emphasised the deep-rooted bond between India and the UAE, saying, “I thank you for this grand welcome of me and my team. As you said, I feel that whenever I have come here, I have always felt that I have come to my home and family.”

Highlighting the frequency of their meetings, the PM underscored the multifaceted partnership between India and the UAE across various sectors, saying, “We have met five times in the last seven months. Today, there is a mutual partnership between India and UAE in every sector.”

After the meeting in his message on X, he said, “Had an excellent meeting with my brother HH, @MohamedBinZayed. India-UAE friendship is growing stronger and stronger, greatly benefiting the people of our nations.”

The two leaders held one-on-one and delegation-level talks.

They reviewed the bilateral partnership and discussed new areas of cooperation.

They welcomed the deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership across sectors, including trade and investment, digital infrastructure, fintech, energy, infrastructure, culture, and people-to-people ties.

Discussions also covered regional and global issues.

The MEA official spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal in his message on X said: “Forging India-UAE relationship anchored in a shared past and a glorious future.”

The PM also congratulated the UAE President on the launch of UAE’s domestic card JAYWAN, which is based on the digital RuPay credit and debit card stack.

The leaders witnessed a transaction made using the JAYWAN card based on India’s digital RuPay credit and debit card Stack

The leaders also discussed the strengthening of energy partnerships.

They appreciated that in addition to the UAE being among the largest sources of crude and LPG, India was now entering into long-term contracts for LNG.

Ahead of the visit, RITES Limited signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports Company and Gujarat Maritime Board with Abu Dhabi Ports Company.

These would help in building port infrastructure and further enhance connectivity between the two countries.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the UAE marked its one-year completion on April 30, 2023, contributing to a 16 percent surge in trade volume, which reached USD 85 million during the fiscal year 2022-23 that is surely going to get more boost with increasing trade MoUs and agreements.

In the same period, the UAE emerged as the fourth-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for India, with an investment totalling $3.5 billion.

The PM thanked the UAE President for his support and for his graciousness in granting the land for the construction of the BAPS Temple in Abu Dhabi.

Both sides noted that the BAPS Temple was a celebration of UAE-India friendship, deep-rooted cultural bonds, and an embodiment of the UAE’s global commitment to harmony, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

Looking ahead, PM Modi announced plans to inaugurate the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir, the first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday.

He commended the UAE’s support for the temple’s construction, saying, “The BAPS temple in the UAE is an example of your affinity for India.”

He emphasised that the temple’s establishment would not have been possible without the backing of the UAE’s leadership.

The PM also thanked the UAE President for his support and generosity in allocating land for the construction of the BAPS Temple in Abu Dhabi.

For the past five years, a Hindu temple crafted from marble and stone has been under construction, a testament to the dedication of over 2000 sculptors hailing from Indian villages.

Utilising ancient construction methods, the temple is a faithful replication of techniques employed millennia ago.

The land for this endeavour was generously granted to the Indian community in 2015 by Sheikh Mohamed, who was then the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, demonstrating a profound gesture of support and solidarity.

Both leaders acknowledged that the BAPS Temple symbolises the enduring friendship between the UAE and India, reflects strong cultural ties between the two nations, and serves as a testament to the UAE’s unwavering dedication to promoting harmony, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence on a global scale.

PM Modi is set to address approximately 60,000 Indian expatriates during the 'Ahlan Modi' event at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Registrations for the event closed a week in advance due to an overwhelming response from the Indian community eager to hear Modi's address.

The PM will participate in the World Government Summit 2024 in Dubai on Wednesday.

He would deliver a keynote address at the summit, where India holds the status of guest of honour country alongside Turkey and Qatar.

Additionally, he would meet the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

India and the UAE share robust relations across political, cultural, and economic domains.

Since PM Modi's landmark visit to the UAE in August 2015, bilateral ties have been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Noteworthy agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023, underscore the commitment to fostering economic cooperation.

The UAE stands as one of India’s key trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching approximately US 85 billion dollars in the fiscal year 2022-23.

Moreover, the UAE ranks among the top four investors in India in terms of FDI during the same period.

The Indian community in the UAE, numbering around 3.5 million, constitutes the largest expatriate group, contributing significantly to the nation's development.

Their positive contributions serve as a cornerstone for the enduring bilateral relationship between India and the UAE.

PM Modi's visit to the UAE signifies a significant step towards deepening bilateral relations and fostering cooperation across various sectors.