Modi’s visit, external affairs ministry sources said, will focus on attracting investment by the UAE’s massive oil-financed sovereign wealth fund that for Abu Dhabi is reported to be worth over $800 billion.
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The Indian community in the UAE is eagerly waiting to hear and cheer Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Madison Square-like event here on Monday that is expected to draw over 50,000 people.
Shaikh Mohammad escorted Modi to the dais where both the UAE and Indian national anthems were played and the military fired a 21-gun salute to Prime Minister Modi. They constitute 30 per cent of the population and are the largest nationality group. “I hope everyone will come with the national flag and celebrate in the spirit of our brother-hood”, he said.
During the talks at the “Emirates Palace” hotel where Modi is staying, the two sides emphasised on expanding engagement between the two countries, holding that there was a huge untapped opportunities to step up economic cooperation.
The Grand Mosque, Modi’s first stop in this visit, is the largest in the UAE and has the largest hand-woven carpet in the world, where thousands can pray at the same time.
“Mai samajh sakta hun PM jab bhi videsh jaate hain, to apna maansik santulan kho jaate hain (Whenever Prime Minister leaves on a foreign tour, he loses his mental balance)”, said Congress spokesperson R P N Singh.
The Prime Minister, who has a penchant for selfies, has clicked them in the past with several leaders and the “selfie diplomacy” has emerged as an integral part of his overseas trips.
“Our shared values and strong bilateral ties provide an important basis on which the UAE and India can elevate their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership”, Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan was quoted as saying by Khaleej Times.
Swaroop further said that Prime Minister has urged the UAE businessmen to look at India as a long term investment destination.
The premier plans to deliver a speech Monday at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. The UAE is India’s third largest trading partner after China and the United States.
However, half of the 2.6 million Indians living in the UAE are migrant workers, according to the Indian Embassy.
There were opportunities for bilateral security cooperation against extremists, he said.
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Mohsko Ramu, a human resource assistant who has been working in the UAE for 15 years, said he told Modi about how expensive it is for most workers to visit their families back home.
