THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES VISIT
Highlights of PM Modi's visit to UAE
Highlights of PM Modi's visit to UAE
The Prime Minister’s visit to the UAE will go down as historic and one that ushered in a golden era of strong India-UAE ties. That the visit was special was seen on the Prime Minister’s arrival itself. The Crown Prince of UAE, His Highness Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his brothers were present at the airport to welcome the Prime Minister. This gesture indicated the warmth Shri Modi was welcomed with and a keenness to engage with the Indian leadership to have closer relations. Later, the Prime Minister held a comprehensive bilateral meeting with the Crown Prince during which the two leaders discussed ways to expand India-UAE partnership.
In Dubai, the PM was warmly welcomed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President of UAE and the ruler of Dubai. His Highness shared on his Facebook page,“Narendra Modi, It was an absolute pleasure meeting you, today India and UAE started new milestone in their relationship, We have a deep historical links and shared vision and aspirations for our nations.”
Dr. Anwar Gargash, UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs described the trip as “historic by all standards.” He hailed the leadership of India and UAE and emphasized on their shared values towards a better future for the people of both the nations.
The UAE media covered the visit extensively and highlighted the key aspects of the speech. Among the aspects highlighted included the Prime Minister’s selfie at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Prime Minister’s visit to the labour camp and his interaction at Masdar City. Shri Narendra Modi’s community programme at the Dubai Cricket stadium was widely viewed and enjoyed by people across UAE and India.
Shri Modi’s visit achieved several positives for India-UAE ties. It strengthened the economic ties, it enhanced security cooperation and it brought the two nations much closer. The discussions on terror were a key aspect of this visit. Both sides spoke about in one voice against the forces of terror, those who support such terror and ruled out categorically any link between religion and terror.
This e-book takes you through the Prime Minister’s visit and what it entails for India, UAE and the world at large.
The Joint Statement between India and the UAE is a path breaking document, clearly illustrating the importance each side attaches to strong ties and moving towards a golden era in India-UAE ties. The Statement encapsulated the historic nature of Prime Minister’s visit and went on to explain the ground covered. The Joint Statement contained a very strong emphasis on the need to uproot all forms of terror and make the world a more peaceful place. Any link between religion and terrorism was comprehensively rejected. The two sides chalked out the way ahead and identified several areas of enhanced cooperation.
In a historic step, the two nations agreed to enhance investment through the UAE-India Investment Fund of $ 75 billion.
On Shri Modi’s visit:
“The visit of an Indian Prime Minister to UAE after 34 years marks the beginning of a new and comprehensive strategic partnership between India and UAE in a world of multiple transitions and changing opportunities and challenges.”
On India and UAE:
“The dynamism of the two countries have translated into a rapidly expanding economic partnership, making India UAE's second largest trading partner; and UAE not only India's third largest trading partner, but also India's gateway to the region and beyond.”
“The two nations also share a commitment to openness, peaceful coexistence and social harmony that are based on their cultural traditions, spiritual values and shared heritage. UAE is a shining example of a multi-cultural society. India is a nation of unparalleled diversity, religious pluralism and a composite culture.”
On the Indian diaspora in UAE:
“The Indian community of over 2.5 million is a major part of UAE's vibrant society and its economic success.”
On terrorism, sectarianism
and violence:
“The two nations reject extremism and any link between religion and terrorism. They condemn efforts, including by states, to use religion to justify, support and sponsor terrorism against other countries.”
Shri Narendra Modi and Crown Prince His Highness Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to:
Elevate the India-UAE relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing and capacity building.
Work together to control, regulate and share information on flow of funds that could have a bearing on radicalization activities and cooperate in interdicting illegal flows and take action against concerned individuals and organizations.
Establish a dialogue between their National Security Advisors and National Security Councils.
Strengthen defence relations, including through regular exercises and training of naval, air, land and Special Forces, and in coastal defence.
Facilitate participation of Indian companies in infrastructure development in UAE.
Tap India's expertise in Small and Medium Enterprises to create a vibrant industrial base in the UAE, which could also be of benefit to Indian enterprises.
Maintain regular summits, high level ministerial dialogue and meetings of bilateral mechanisms to realize their vision of a strong comprehensive strategic partnership.
A rockstar welcome, this is the only way to describe the Prime Minister’s community programme at the Dubai Cricket Ground on the evening of Monday, 17th August 2015. In an elaborate speech, the Prime Minister listed out the set of achievements of the Government of India during the last year. He particularly talked about the ‘Make in India’ programme, the Jan Dhan Yojana, the social security schemes and the skill development initiatives, which bring a positive change in the lives of the people of India.
Shri Narendra Modi listed out a series of steps taken by the Government of India to assist the Indian Diaspora. This includes an online platform called ‘MADAD’ (meaning assistance) to assist the diaspora and e-migrant portal. Shri Modi talked about the Indian Community Welfare Fund at the Embassies to assist citizens in distress.
The menace of terrorism found considerable mention in the Prime Minister’s speech. He narrated how India has been suffering from this menace for forty years and emphasized on the need for all humanitarian forces to join hands and speak out in one voice against terrorism.
Shri Modi stated how India has made efforts to add new vigour in SAARC and added that be it Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan, India has deepened their bond with these nations. He made it clear that India will never work with these Nations driven on the basis of India’s size but will walk shoulder to shoulder with them on the path of peace and progress.
He paid rich tributes to the Indian diaspora and recalled warmly the enthusiasm of the diaspora in helping India when the world had imposed sanctions after the Pokhran Tests. Shri Modi shared how, on one call of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee the diaspora came forward and helped India. He described Dubai as a mini-world and appreciated the economic strides made by the UAE in recent years.
PM Modi's address to the Indian Community at Dubai
In the joint statement between India and the UAE, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed that during the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, the occasion is right to press for early reforms of the United Nations, and that the Inter-Governmental Negotiations on the reforms of the UN Security Council should be concluded expeditiously.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi thanked UAE for its support for India's candidature for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council.
Community speech on UN reform
During Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Abu Dhabi, the UAE Government gave its approval to allot land for the construction of a Temple in the capital of UAE, Abu Dhabi.
The Prime Minister profusely thanked the UAE government, on social media and during the community programme in Dubai. He also asked the people to accord a standing ovation to the Crown Prince.
Both India and UAE are multi-cultural societies. Both nations celebrate the diversity that has contributed to their economic and overall progress.
The hardworking Indian workers in UAE have contributed immensely to the economic success of UAE. At the same time, this is a community that has always given back to India.
Shri Narendra Modi met Indian workers at ICAD residential city. This is the first time a Prime Minister engaged in such an outreach. The interaction was full of warmth and emotion. Shri Modi assured the workers that India is proud of them and reiterated his respect for all those who toil and contribute to economic progress.”
Shri Narendra Modi visited Masdar City in Abu Dhabi on the morning of 17th August 2015. During his tour, he met officials and various people, who briefed him about the project and how it is redefining urban development. The Prime Minister toured the various facilities.
Later, he met top investors from UAE and Indian businesspersons settled there to discuss ways to enhance trade ties between India and the UAE. Shri Modi’s message was crystal clear- that India is a land of unlimited opportunities and that the Government is going the extra mile when it comes to making business easier, eliminating bottlenecks and nurturing a spirit of enterprise and skill development among the people of India. He assured the investors that the problems they face would be duly addressed by the Government of India. He particularly highlighted potential in energy, port development, infrastructure, low cost housing etc. He opined that the investment potential of $1 trillion in India, which can be a win-win for both nations.
When PM spoke business with top investors
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on 16th August. The Mosque is a fitting tribute to the founding father of UAE Sheikh Zayed and is admired for its wonderful architecture. Shri Modi visited the Mosque with top officials of the UAE government.
An unprecedented welcome
When Shri Narendra Modi landed in Abu Dhabi on 16th August he was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This gesture was extremely rare and special. Not only that, all the brothers of the Crown Prince were there at the airport to welcome Shri Modi. Shri Modi appreciated this gesture and even recalled the pioneering role of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa in strengthening India-UAE ties.
BILATERAL MEETING WITH
THE CROWN PRINCE
BILATERAL MEETING WITH VICE
PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER
HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMMED
BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM
Meeting a well wisher
When the Prime Minister read about Akbar Saheb, a painter who has dedicated his work, Mother Blessing to the Prime Minister’s Mother, Shri Modi expressed keenness to meet him. Akbar Saheb met the PM in Abu Dhabi and presented his work to him.
