Indian PM Modi’s Visit to UAE Scheduled for February 13-14; Set to Inaugurate Abu Dhabi’s First Hindu Temple
New Delhi, INDIA (DT) – Indian Prime Minister will ceremonially open the BAPS Mandir, Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Hindu temple. Additionally, he will deliver remarks to the Indian community in the UAE during an event at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.
The Ministry of External Affairs has officially announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s itinerary, affirming that he will embark on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 13 to February 14, 2024.
Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit marks his seventh to the UAE since 2015 and his third in the last eight months. During the trip, he will engage in bilateral discussions with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, to explore avenues for enhancing the strategic partnership between the two nations. They will also exchange perspectives on mutual regional and global concerns.
The Prime Minister will also convene with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Defense Minister of the UAE. Upon Sheikh Mohammed’s invitation, the Prime Minister will attend the World Government Summit 2024 in Dubai as the Guest of Honour. He will deliver a special keynote address during the Summit.
India and the UAE share robust, multifaceted relations characterized by strong political, cultural, and economic ties. Since Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s significant visit to the UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations have advanced to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In February 2022, both nations signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), followed by the establishment of a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023, aimed at facilitating cross-border transactions using the Indian Rupee and AED.
The two nations stand as each other’s primary trading partners, with bilateral trade amounting to approximately US$ 85 billion in 2022-23. Moreover, the UAE ranks among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments during the same period.
Comprising approximately 3.5 million individuals, the dynamic and resilient Indian community constitutes the largest expatriate group in the UAE. Their constructive and valued contributions to the host country’s development serve as a significant pillar of the outstanding bilateral relationship between India and the UAE.