Energy security, infrastructural investments to top the chart of agendas during UAE visit: PM Modi
New Delhi, February 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said that energy security and infrastructural investments will be on the top of all agendas of his discussions with the UAE top leaders this week. Notably, PM Modi will pay a historic visit to the UAE on Saturday this week.
During the interview with Gulf News' XPRESS ahead of his two-day visit to the UAE, PM Modi said that he will hold meetings with His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. “Energy security and infrastructural investments in India will be key topics discussed,” he added.
PM Modi further said that he is visiting UAE in response to an invitation to address the sixth edition of the World Government Summit to be held in Dubai from 11th to 13th of this month. “This year, India has been designated as the Guest of Honour country. The privilege extended to India is a recognition of the strong friendship between the two countries,” the Prime Minister added.
PM Modi also hailed Indian community and said that the UAE is home to over three million people of Indian origin. “The Indian community has acted as a bridge between the two countries and I hope my visit will further strengthen these ties,” he added.
The Prime Minister said it is a matter of great happiness that new Government-to-Government and business-to-business initiatives promise to add even more strength and depth to the bilateral cooperation in various areas of economic activity. PM Modi also added that he was a firm believer in the power of technology as it empowers people.
Importantly, India and the United Arab Emirates will sign as many as 12 agreements in a bid to intensify economic cooperation between two countries. The agreements between the two countries will include key areas like finance and skills development.
PM Modi will start his historic visit to three West Asian countries including Palestine, the UAE and Oman on Friday this week with a focus on cooperation in key areas of defence, security and counter-terrorism etc. During his visit to UAE, PM Modi will participate in the 6th World Government Summit in Dubai on February 10-11 in which India is a partner country.
Prime Minister Modi’s will also be the laying of the foundation stone of a grand Hindu temple in the UAE. Interestingly, this will be PM Modi's second visit to the UAE as he first visited the country in August 2015. Importantly, around 2.8 million Indians are living harmoniously in the UAE and repatriates USD 13.6 billion a year from the Gulf nation to India.