New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 13 to 14, 2024. This visit marks PM Modi's seventh trip to the UAE since 2015, highlighting the growing importance of the bilateral relationship between the two nations. PM Modi will inaugurate the grand BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the UAE, on February 14. "He will also be addressing the Indian community in the UAE at an event in Zayed Sports city in Abu Dhabi," as per a Ministry Of External Affairs (MEA) statement.


PM Modi received the invitation from Swami Ishwarcharandas and Swami Brahmaviharidas, along with the board of directors of the temple last year. The grand temple is located on a 27-acre piece of land in Abu Mureikhah district.


This comes nearly a month after the historic inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, where PM Modi performed the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony on January 22. 


Furthermore, PM Modi will also address the Indian community in the UAE at an event in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. The Indian diaspora, numbering around 3.5 million strong, forms the largest expatriate group in the UAE. "Their positive and well-appreciated contribution in the development of their host country has been an important anchor of our excellent bilateral engagement with the UAE," stated the MEA.


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PM Modi To Hold Bilateral Meetings With UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan


During his visit, PM Modi will engage in bilateral meetings with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, aiming to deepen and expand the strategic partnership between India and the UAE.


"The two leaders will discuss ways to further deepen, expand and strengthen the strategic partnership between the countries and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest," the MEA release read.


Furthermore, PM Modi will also meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Defense Minister of the UAE. As a guest of honor, he will participate in the World Government Summit 2024 in Dubai, as the guest of honour, delivering a special keynote address, as per MEA.


The visit comes at a time when bilateral relations between India and the UAE are at an all-time high. "Following the landmark visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations between the two countries been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED for cross-border transactions," as per the MEA.


In recent years, bilateral trade between India and the UAE has flourished, reaching approximately US$85 billion in the fiscal year 2022-23. Moreover, the UAE has emerged as one of the top four investors in India, with significant foreign direct investments in various sectors, the statement mentioned.


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