PM Modi will leave for UAE today, will inaugurate a grand Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi

Prime Minister Modi will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today on a two-day visit. During this, he will discuss various issues with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and inaugurate the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.

UAE Ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alshali described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UAE visit as "extremely important" for bilateral relations and expressed hope that it will take the strategic relationship to new heights.

Alshali said, “This visit is very important. This is very important in terms of this (India-UAE) relationship. We are honored and privileged that Prime Minister (Modi) will come to UAE to be our guest at the World Government Summit and to inaugurate the BAPS Temple. I am sure that this visit will take relations to new heights.”

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told a press conference that both sides are working to enhance mutual understanding in ports, logistics, energy security, energy trade and digital sectors among others. The talks between PM Modi and Al Nahyan will take place on Tuesday. Kwatra said that there can be some agreements for cooperation in port and maritime sector.

"Since digital cooperation is an important element of the partnership between the two economies, we are also looking at whether we can reach an agreement on investment in digital infrastructure," he said.

Kwatra said both sides are also exploring possible cooperation in the areas of maritime heritage as well as fintech products and railways. He said, "At present both sides are discussing several agreements which can be finalized during the visit."

Announcing the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs had said on Saturday that this would be the Prime Minister's seventh visit to UAE since 2015.