Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly greeted upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. He was welcomed by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the two leaders exchanging handshakes and embraces. A guard of honour was also presented to Prime Minister Modi.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address the Indian diaspora at the “Ahlan Modi” event. Additionally, he will inaugurate the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The anticipation for Prime Minister Modi’s visit is palpable, with the number of attendees for the Ahlan Modi event surpassing 65,000. The Indian expatriate community in the UAE, numbering approximately 3.5 million and constituting around 35% of the country’s population, eagerly awaits his presence.
Jitendra Vaidya, President of the Indian People Forum and leader of the Ahlan Modi initiative expressed his excitement for the event, considering it a significant milestone. He highlighted the enthusiastic response from the public and emphasized the event’s memorable status.
Ved Prakash Gupta, a member of the Indian diaspora and a volunteer at the Ahlan Modi event, emphasized the event’s importance in strengthening India-UAE relations. He highlighted the efforts of the organizing team and the widespread anticipation among attendees.
Prior to his departure, Prime Minister Modi expressed his anticipation for the visit on social media, particularly looking forward to meeting with President of UAE, whom he considers a brother with whom he shares a strong rapport.
This visit marks Prime Minister Modi’s third trip to the Gulf country in the past eight months, reflecting the significance of the bilateral relationship. His discussions with UAE leaders will focus on enhancing the multifaceted ties between the two nations.
Prime Minister Modi also expressed his excitement for inaugurating the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, viewing it as a symbol of the shared values of harmony, peace, and tolerance between India and the UAE.
The Ahlan Modi event, organized by the Indian community in Abu Dhabi, has garnered immense attention, with over 65,000 registrations received, showcasing the enthusiastic response from the Indian expatriate community.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UAE is scheduled from February 13 to 14, following which he will proceed to Doha.
