Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, ahead of his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, that India has enhanced and extended its collaboration with both nations in a number of sectors, including trade and investment, energy security, and defense.
Prior to his trip to Qatar on February 14–15, PM Modi will conduct an official visit to the United Arab Emirates on February 13–14.
Given the extensive level of collaboration between the two countries, this will be his eighth visit to the UAE and will have significant weight.
This is Modi’s second visit to Qatar since 2014. It coincides with the emir of Qatar’s announcement on Sunday to free eight former Indian Navy sailors who were jailed for suspected espionage and had received hefty prison terms.
“Our collaboration with the United Arab Emirates has expanded greatly over the last nine years in a variety of areas, including commerce and investment, security and defense, food and energy security, and education. In a statement released before to his travel to the two nations, Modi stated, “Our cultural and people-to-people connect is stronger than ever.”
PM Modi expressed his excitement about having a detailed conversation on advancing the bilateral comprehensive strategic relationship with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, when they meet in Abu Dhabi.
He said, “His Highness was the Chief Guest at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, which I had the honor of hosting recently in Gujarat.”
On February 14, PM Modi will speak to a group of international leaders at the World Government Summit at the invitation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and vice president of the United Arab Emirates.
“On the fringes of the Summit, I will be having talks with Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid about enhancing our diverse connections with Dubai,” he said.
The opening of the BAPS temple, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, will be a highlight of Modi’s visit. According to Modi, the temple “will be an enduring tribute to the values of harmony, peace, and tolerance, which both India and the UAE share.”
“I will address the members of the Indian community from all of the UAE’s Emirates at a special event in Abu Dhabi,” he said.
According to PM Modi, he is excited to meet Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, whose direction has allowed for the nation to see “tremendous growth and transformation.”
He said that he is excited to meet more important dignitaries in Qatar.
“Friendly and tight connections have always existed between Qatar and India. Our multifarious connections have strengthened in all areas in recent years, including high-level political exchanges, increased commerce and investment between the two nations, our energy collaboration, and cooperation in culture and education, according to PM Modi.
“Our strong people-to-people ties are demonstrated by the presence of an Indian community in Doha that numbers over 800,000,” the speaker said.