Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met his Dubai counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to discuss a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation even as the two leaders welcomed the signing of the Bilateral Investment Treaty and the growing economic ties.
Prime Minister Modi also invited the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to visit India at his earliest convenience. During the day, PM Modi delivered a special keynote address at the World Governments Summit 2024 as a guest of honour. Additionally, Modi inaugurated BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.
On the first day, Modi and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a bilateral discussion, during which several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were discussed.
Here are the updates from the day:
- 10.41 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Qatar on Wednesday evening. In Doha, PM Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. - 10.36 PM
In a display of interfaith solidarity, the Gurudwara in Dubai distributed 5,000 langar' meals at the inauguration of the first Hindu stone temple here on Wednesday. Surender Singh Kandhari, chairman of the committee of Guru Nanak Durbar Gurdwara, told PTI that the gesture is an addition to what the temple symbolises a multi-faith community. - 9.40 PM
At the inauguration of BAPS Hindu temple, PM Modi says, "...UAE, which till now was known for Burj Khalifa, Future Museum, Sheikh Zayed Mosque and other hi-tech buildings, has now added another cultural chapter to its identity. I am confident that a large number of devotees will come here in the coming times. This will also increase the number of people coming to UAE and people-to-people connections will also increase. On behalf of the entire India and millions of Indians living around the world, I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE Government." - 9.15 PM
After the inauguration of BAPS Hindu temple, PM Modi says, "...I worship Maa Bharti. 'parmatma ne mujhe jitna samay dia hai uska har pal Maa Bharti kay liye hai'...(Whatever time God has given me, I have dedicated that to Mother India." - 7.53 PM
After inaugurating the BAPS Hindu Mandir, PM Modi took a tour of the temple premises and offered prayers to various deities and idols installed there. - 6.55 PM
PM Modi inaugurates the first Hindu stone temple, Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir in Abu Dhabi. He offered prayers at the temple soon after inaugurating it. The temple sits on 27 acres of land that was generously gifted by the UAE leadership. - 6.44 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will shortly inaugurate the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir in Abu Dhabi. The temple will open to the public on March 1. - 6.40 PM
Actor Akshay Kumar on Wednesday reached Abu Dhabi ahead of the inauguration of the first Hindu stone temple in the city. For the occasion, Akshay donned a white and golden kurta. The 56-year-old actor was accompanied by his security detail. - 5.48 PM
Addressing the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India has had an all-encompassing approach to deal with climate change. He added that Mission LiFE is a perfect example of pro-planet approach. He said that India has been working positively in the sectors of solar, wind, hydro, biofuels and green hydrogen. He added that there is a need to think beyond Carbon credits towards the need for Green Credit. - 5.13 PM
While addressing the World Governments Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Our governance never discriminates against anyone. There is no room for corruption too." - 4.24 PM
PM Modi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum laid the foundation stone for 'Bharat Mart' in Jebel Ali, a large commercial port and business hub on the southern outskirts of Dubai. "Deepening India's economic linkages with the UAE & the world! PM @narendramodi and VP & PM of UAE @HHShkMohd virtually laid the foundation stone for Bharat Mart in Jebel Ali. Bharat Mart, a hybrid marketplace for Indian businesses, will provide them access to global markets by leveraging the strategic location and strength in logistics of Jebel Ali port," the MEA said in a post on X. - 4.09 PM
Prime Minister Modi met his UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and discussed a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation including trade and investment. "Strengthening India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership! PM @narendramodi met VP & PM of UAE @HHShkMohd in Dubai. Discussions covered a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation including trade & investment, technology, education, and people-to-people ties," said a post on the official X handle of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). - 2.35 PM
"Social and financial inclusion has been our government's priority. Due to this, today more than 50 crore people who did not have a bank account are connected to banking in India. This has taken India forward in the areas of fintech and digital payments. We also encouraged women-led development...," says PM Modi at World Governments Summit in Dubai. - 2.24 PM
Modi said, "I believe that it is the job of the government to ensure that government interference in people's lives is minimal...My biggest principle has been 'Minimum government, maximum governance'. I have always emphasised creating an environment in which sense of enterprise and energy in the citizens grows". - 2.21 PM
"Over the last few years, people's trust has increased over the Indian government. People have trust over the intent and commitment of the Indian government. This was possible only because we prioritised public sentiments in governance," Modi said. - 2.16 PM
Modi said, "The way Dubai is becoming the global epicenter of global economy, commerce and technology is a big thing". - 2.11 PM
PM Modi, while addressing the summit, said, "I am thankful for the invitation. I also want to thank my brother, Rashid Al Maktoum. I got the chance to meet him many times in recent years. He is not only the leader of vision but also a 'leader of resolve and commitment'". - 2.08 PM
PM Modi addresses the World Government's Summit 2024. - 2.06 PM
PM Modi along with Vice President Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum arrived at World Government Summit 2024. - 1.57 PM
PM Modi meets the Emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid AI Maktoum, to hold a bilateral conversation. - 12.50 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina in Abu Dhabi. - 11.44 AM
Pankaj, a member of the Indian diaspora said, "It's a great feeling because as human beings we need our spiritual side to be covered and temple for all reason is a symbol of spiritualism.So, it gives you a feeling of stability". - 11.34 AM
Deepti, a member of the Indian diaspora said, "We are very grateful and very happy to see the temple here, thanks to PM Narendra Modi." - 10.16 AM
On the 'Ahlan Modi' event held yesterday, Mohan Kwatra said, "In the evening, The Prime Minister addressed the Indian community at the 'Ahlan Modi' event hosted at the Zayed Sports Stadium. More than 40,000 people attended this event, and in his address, the Prime Minister thanked the UAE President for his commitment to bilateral ties, for his support to the Indian community, and for the granting of land for building the BAPS Temple, whose inauguration we will be witnessing later this afternoon." - 10.11 AM
Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said, "The India-Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC) was launched during the G20 summit meeting in New Delhi. This agreement builds collaboration and also looks at specific things that the parties would do to promote cooperation in this space. The main areas under this particular agreement covered are - One, relating to cooperation on logistics platforms, which is a crucial element of furthering the objectives of this particular corridor. Two, provision of supply chain services. Supply chain services are not just limited to one or two things, but cover all types of general cargo, bulk containers and liquid bulk. One of the aims of this is to see how quickly the IMEC, which was launched, gets operated and benefits the core objective of stronger, deeper, more extensive regional connectivity between the parties involved." - 9.39 AM
PM Modi will hold bilateral meetings with the Vice President of the UAE and the Rular of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid AI Maktoum. Later in the day, he will travel to Qatar's Doha after the UAE, where he will meet the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad. - 9.00 AM
Consecration ceremony of BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi done ahead of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, later today.
