PM Modi to inaugurate first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, hold talks with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

PM Modi to inaugurate first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, hold talks with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting Tuesday. During his visit, he will hold comprehensive discussions with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and also inaugurate the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday announced the trip, saying that it would be the prime minister’s seventh visit to the UAE since 2015. Modi and Al Nahyan will discuss ways to further deepen, expand and strengthen the strategic partnership between the countries and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, it said.

“The prime minister will also meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president, prime minister and defence minister of the UAE,” the MEA said.”At his invitation, the prime minister will participate in the World Government Summit 2024 to be held in Dubai as the guest of honour and deliver a special keynote address at the summit,” the MEA said in a statement.

It said Modi will also inaugurate the BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, adding he will also be addressing the Indian community in the UAE at an event in Zayed Sports City.”India and UAE enjoy warm, close and multi-faceted relations underpinned by strong political, cultural and economic linkages,” the MEA said.

Following the landmark visit of Modi to UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Both countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) for cross-border transactions.

The two countries are among each other’s top trading partners with a bilateral trade of about USD 85 billion in 2022-23, according to official data. The UAE is also among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments in 2022-23.

“About 3.5 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in the UAE. Their positive and well-appreciated contribution in the development of their host country has been an important anchor of our excellent bilateral engagement,” the MEA said.

With inputs from PTI.