New Delhi, July 15, 2023: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday for a significant one-day visit aimed at enhancing bilateral ties between the two nations. The visit comes after Modi’s successful two-day trip to Paris, where he participated in the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, marking India’s strong ties with France.
During his stay in the UAE, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The leaders will discuss and assess the growing strategic partnership between India and the UAE, spanning various sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, and security.
Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa displayed the vibrant colors of the Indian national flag in anticipation of Modi’s official visit, highlighting the warm reception accorded by the UAE to the Indian leader.
Speaking about the visit, Prime Minister Modi expressed enthusiasm for meeting his friend, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He emphasized the extensive collaboration between India and the UAE in multiple sectors and the robust people-to-people ties between the two nations.
Energy, food security, and defence are anticipated to be the key focus areas during the visit, where both sides will review the progress made in bilateral relations, particularly after the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement has been instrumental in strengthening economic engagement despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Indian expatriate community in the UAE, the largest ethnic community in the country, plays a vital role in fostering ties between the nations. With an estimated 3.5 million resident Indian nationals in the UAE, the strong people-to-people connections exemplify the deep-rooted relationship between India and the UAE.
