‘Looking forward to advance India-UAE strategic partnership’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday thanked UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support and his graciousness in granting the land for the construction of a Hindu temple here, saying it reflects his affinity for India.
PM Modi will inaugurate the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir, the first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday. PM Modi arrived here earlier in the day and was received at the airport by President Sheikh Mohamed.
PM Modi held wide-ranging talks with the UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during which they reviewed the strategic partnership, discussed new areas of cooperation and witnessed the signing of several agreements, including a bilateral investment treaty.
The Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will be a key enabler for further promoting investments in both countries. India has signed both a Bilateral Investment Treaty and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with UAE, the statement said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he is looking forward to further advancing India’s comprehensive strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates during his two-day visit to the Gulf nation.
After concluding his twoday visit to the UAE, Modi will travel to Qatari capital Doha on Wednesday afternoon.
In his departure statement
ahead of the two-nation visit, Modi said he was also looking forward to meeting Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar, saying the country continues to witness “tremendous growth and transformation” under his leadership.
The announcement on Modi’s visit to Doha came on Monday against the backdrop of Qatar releasing eight jailed former
Indian Navy personnel.
“India and Qatar enjoy historically close and friendly relations. In recent years, our multifaceted ties have continued to deepen in all spheres, including high level political exchanges, growing trade and investment between two countries, strengthening of our energy partnership, and cooperation in culture and education,” Modi said.
“The presence of over 800,000 strong Indian communities in Doha is a testament to our strong people-to-people ties,” he added.
The Prime Minister said, cooperation between India and the UAE witnessed upswing in diverse sectors in the last nine years. “Over the last nine years, our cooperation with the UAE in diverse sectors such as trade and investment, defence and security, food and energy security and education has grown manifold. Our cultural and peopleto-people connect is stronger than ever,” he said.