PM Modi’s UAE visit marks the opening leg of a wider diplomatic tour across Europe and the Nordic region….reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday departed for the United Arab Emirates on an official visit aimed at strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
During his visit to Abu Dhabi, PM Modi is scheduled to hold talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyanon a range of key issues, including trade, investment, energy security and people to people ties.
The visit is expected to further deepen strategic and economic cooperation between India and the UAE, which remains one of New Delhi’s key partners in the Gulf region.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the visit would help boost the strong trade and investment relationship between the two countries.
Energy security is likely to be a major focus during the visit, with official sources indicating that two important Memorandums of Understanding in the areas of LPG and strategic petroleum reserves could be signed.
According to the MEA, the UAE is India’s third largest trading partner and the seventh largest source of cumulative investment into the country over the last 25 years. The visit is also expected to include discussions on the welfare of the Indian diaspora in the UAE, which numbers more than 4.5 million people.
Briefing reporters ahead of the visit, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said the Prime Minister would next travel to the Netherlands in the second leg of his tour. The visit will mark PM Modi’s second trip to the country since 2017.
During his stay in the Netherlands, the Prime Minister will meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, and hold talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
In the third leg of the visit, PM Modi will travel to Gothenburg in Sweden for bilateral talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The discussions are expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore fresh opportunities to expand trade and economic cooperation.
The two leaders will also address the European Round Table for Industry alongside President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
George said the fourth leg of the Prime Minister’s visit will take him to Norway on Monday for the third India Nordic Summit and bilateral engagements.
In the final leg of the tour, PM Modi will visit Italy on Tuesday, where he is scheduled to meet President Sergio Mattarellaand hold talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
