Indian Prime Minister visits UAE, inaugurates first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 12-14.

Thủ tướng Ấn Độ Narendra Modi nhận lời mời khánh thành ngôi đều BAPS Hindu Mandir ở Abu Dhabi, tại New Delhi ngày 28/12/2023. (Nguồn: PTI)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepts an invitation to inaugurate the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, in New Delhi on December 28, 2023. (Source: PTI)

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on February 10 saying that this will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 7th visit to the UAE since 2015.

The Indian Prime Minister is scheduled to hold extensive talks with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, inaugurate the BAPS Mandir temple and address the Indian community in the UAE.

During the talks, Mr. Modi and Mr. Al Nahyan will discuss measures to deepen, expand and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - Vice President, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the UAE.

At the invitation of the UAE Prime Minister, Mr. Modi “will participate in the World Government Summit 2024 to be held in Dubai as the Guest of Honor and deliver a special keynote address at the Summit.”

The Indian leader's other major activities included inaugurating BAPS Mandir - the first Hindu temple in the capital Abu Dhabi, and addressing the Indian community in the UAE at an event at Zayed Sports City.

A statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that New Delhi and Abu Dhabi “have warm, close and comprehensive relations underpinned by strong political, cultural and economic links.”

Following Mr. Modi's landmark visit to the UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and the Local Currency Payment System (LCS) in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and UAE AED for cross-border transactions.

According to official data, the two countries are among each other's top trading partners with bilateral trade turnover of around $85 billion in 2022-2023.

UAE among top 4 investors in India in terms of foreign direct investment during 2022-23.

There are currently around 3.5 million Indians living in the UAE, making up the largest expatriate community in the oil-rich kingdom. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the active contribution of the Indian diaspora here is “an important pillar of the excellent bilateral cooperation” between the two countries.

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