Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake a two-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 13 to 14, during which he will inaugurate Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Hindu temple, the BAPS Mandir, and address the Indian diaspora. The Ministry of External Affairs, in a press release, announced that PM Modi will also conduct a bilateral meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and participate in the World Government Summit 2024.
The MEA statement stated, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 13 to 14, 2024.” This visit marks PM Modi’s seventh trip to the UAE since 2015 and his third in the last eight months. During his visit, he will engage in bilateral discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi will meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Defence Minister of the UAE. He has been invited to participate in the World Government Summit 2024 in Dubai as the Guest of Honour, where he will deliver a special keynote address.
PM Modi will inaugurate the BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, and will also address the Indian community in the UAE at an event in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.
According to the MEA, India and the UAE share warm, close, and multi-faceted relations rooted in strong political, cultural, and economic ties. Following PM Modi’s significant visit to the UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and established a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED for cross-border transactions.
India and the UAE are significant trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching approximately USD 85 billion in 2022-23. The UAE is also among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments during the same period.
Meanwhile, the vibrant Indian community in the UAE, numbering around 3.5 million, forms the largest expatriate group. Their positive contributions to the development of the host country have been pivotal in strengthening bilateral engagement between India and the UAE, as highlighted by the MEA.
