PM Modi, Sheikh Maktoum strike chord for India-UAE growth

New Delhi, Feb 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in productive talks with the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai on Wednesday.

The meeting, characterised by warmth and cordiality, saw both leaders exchanging pleasantries before delving into discussions on diverse topics.

The key areas of focus included bilateral cooperation spanning trade and investment, technology, education, and fostering stronger people-to-people ties.

Both leaders held discussions on a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade, investment, technology, space, education and people-to-people ties.

They expressed their satisfaction with the rapidly growing economic and commercial ties between India and the UAE and acknowledged in particular the key role played by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

They also welcomed the signing of the Bilateral Investment Treaty.

PM Modi thanked the UAE Vice President for his graciousness towards the Indian community living in Dubai. Both leaders acknowledged the contribution of the Indian diaspora in Dubai’s evolution into a global hub for trade, services, and tourism.

PM Modi expressed deep appreciation to the UAE Vice President for the grant of land for an Indian Community Hospital in Dubai which would offer affordable healthcare facilities for the Indian blue-collar workers.

He invited the UAE Vice President to visit India at his earliest convenience.

PM Modi and the UAE Vice President also virtually laid the foundation stone for Bharat Mart in Jebel Ali deepening India’s economic linkages with the UAE and the world.

Bharat Mart, a hybrid marketplace for Indian businesses would provide access to global markets by leveraging the strategic locations and strengths in logistics of Jebel Ali Port.

On the first day of his visit, PM Modi conducted a bilateral meeting with the UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which multiple Memoranda of Understanding were exchanged, enhancing the strategic partnership between India and the UAE.

PM Modi thanked the UAE President for the warm reception and reflected on the significant progress made in various fields through the partnership.

The meeting was attended by key Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.

Further demonstrating the depth of India-UAE collaboration, PM Modi engaged with the inaugural cohort of students from the IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi Campus, praising the initiative for bridging the educational gap between the two nations.

He also addressed a massive Indian diaspora at the 'Ahlan Modi' event held at Zayed Sports Stadium in Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the cultural bonds shared by the Indian community in the UAE.