Prime Minister Modi is on his seventh visit to the UAE since 2014
India's cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has grown manifold across diverse sectors over the last nine years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he embarked on a two-day visit to the Gulf nation on Tuesday (February 13, 2024).
 
The visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai on February 13-14 is Prime Minister Modi's seventh to the UAE since 2014. Thereafter, he will visit Qatar on February 14-15, 2024.
 
"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 people-to-people connect is stronger than ever," he said in his departure statement from New Delhi.
 
He also said he looked forward to meeting UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and hold wide-ranging discussions on taking forward the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
 
This will be the fifth meeting of the two leaders in the last eight months. 
 
On February 14, 2024, Prime Minister Modi will address the gathering of world leaders at the World Government Summit in Dubai, at the invitation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, PM and Defence Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. "My discussions with Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on the margins of the Summit will focus on strengthening our multifaceted ties with Dubai," he said in his departure statement. 
 
Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate the first Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. "The BAPS temple will be an enduring tribute to the values of harmony, peace and tolerance, which both India and the UAE share," he said.
 
Prime Minister Modi had laid the foundation stone of the temple during his visit to the UAE in 2018.
 
Additionally, he will address the members of the Indian Community from all the Emirates of the UAE at a special event in Abu Dhabi. The Indian community in the UAE is estimated to number nearly 3.5 million
 
In this context, the Prime Minister praised the Indian diaspora for their efforts to deepen India’s engagement with the world. He said he looked forward to being among UAE’s Indian diaspora at the Ahlan Modi (Hello Modi) programme.
 
"We are very proud of our diaspora and their efforts to deepen India’s engagement with the world. This evening, I look forward to being among UAE’s Indian diaspora at the Ahlan Modi programme! Do join this memorable occasion," Prime Minister Modi posted on social media platform X. 
 
Briefing the media in New Delhi on Monday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said bilateral relations between India and the UAE have undergone "complete transformation" following the landmark visit of Prime Minister Modi in 2015. The relationship was elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership level in 2017.