Indian PM Narendra Modi began his official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he met with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE.
During bilateral discussions, the leaders emphasised the deepening of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in sectors such as trade, investment, digital infrastructure, fintech, energy, and culture. They also exchanged agreements aimed at bolstering cooperation across various domains:
- Bilateral Investment Treaty: Encouraging investments in both nations.
- MoU on electricity interconnection and trade: Enhancing energy cooperation.
- Inter-governmental Framework Agreement on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: Strengthening regional connectivity.
- MoU on Digital Infrastructure Projects: Facilitating cooperation in the digital sector.
- Cooperation Protocol on archival material preservation.
- MoU on the National Maritime Heritage Complex.
- Agreement on linking instant digital payment platforms (UPI and AANI).
- Agreement on interlinking domestic debit/credit cards (RuPay and JAYWAN).
Furthermore, Modi praised the launch of the UAE’s JAYWAN card, based on the digital RuPay system, emphasising financial sector collaboration. Discussions also focused on bolstering energy partnerships, with India now procuring Liquefied Natural Gas from the UAE under long-term contracts.
Ahead of PM Modi's visit, agreements between RITES Limited, Abu Dhabi Ports Company, and the Gujarat Maritime Board were signed, aimed at enhancing port infrastructure and connectivity between the two countries.
PM Modi also thanked the UAE leader for supporting the construction of the BAPS Temple in Abu Dhabi, which he said symbolises the strong cultural ties and commitment to harmony and tolerance between the UAE and India.
Immensely grateful to my brother, HH @MohamedBinZayed, for taking the time to receive me at Abu Dhabi airport.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2024
I look forward to a productive visit which will further strength the friendship between India and UAE. 🇮🇳 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/OWQivfszI2
Other Engagements in the UAE
PM Modi engaged with the inaugural cohort of students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi-Abu Dhabi Campus, highlighting that this marks the commencement of a fresh phase in the collaborative relationship between India and the UAE, while also fostering greater interaction among the youth of both nations.
In addition, he also addressed the Indian community in the UAE at the 'AHLAN MODI' event, organised in his honour. The gathering, including Emiratis, comprised Indians from diverse backgrounds across the 7 Emirates. Before 40,000 attendees, Modi expressed gratitude to the UAE’s rulers and government for their support during challenging times, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also highlighted the significant contributions of the Indian Diaspora to bolstering bilateral ties and thanked the UAE for its care and assistance to the Indian community during the crisis.
Visit to Qatar
After the UAE, PM Modi will also visit Qatar. Ahead of the trip, Modi said that in recent years, India and Qatar’s “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.”
“The presence of over 800,000 strong Indian community in Doha is a testament to our strong people-to-people ties,” he added.
Modi’s visit to the country comes only a few days after India announced the return of seven of the eight Indian Navy veterans who had been detained in Qatar on espionage charges for 18 months. The former naval officials were working with Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consulting Services, which advised the Doha government on the acquisition of submarines. They were sentenced to death on espionage charges in October.
The officials were accused of spying for Israel on a Qatari submarine programme and were kept in solitary confinement for a long period.