FILE PHOTO: Temple Committee members presenting the temple literature to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 10 Feb 2018 Courtesy: www.twitter.com/MEAIndia
Sun 18 August 2019:
India’s Ministry of External Affairs announces Modi’s 3rd visit to UAE, first to Bahrain
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the UAE on August 23- 24 and Bahrain on August 24-25, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced.
“The award in the name of Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, acquires special significance as it was awarded to Prime Minister Modi in the year of the birth centenary of Shaikh Zayed,” it said.
The ministry said India and the UAE enjoy warm, close and multi-faceted relations underpinned by cultural, religious and economic linkages which, during the Prime Minister’s previous visit to the UAE during August, 2015, stood elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had visited India during February 2016 and then during January, 2017 as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations.
“With robust flow of bilateral investments and an annual bilateral trade of about US$ 60 billion, the UAE is our third-largest trade partner. Also, the UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India. A 3.3 million-strong vibrant Indian community in the UAE nourishes the vibrant people-to-people contacts between our two friendly countries. The visit would further strengthen our friendly bilateral ties with the UAE.”
Visit to Bahrain
The Prime Minister would also be paying a state visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain from 24-25 August 2019. This will be the first ever Prime Ministerial visit from India to Bahrain.
“His Majesty the King of Bahrain Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa will be hosting a banquet dinner in honour of Prime Minister. PM Modi would also launch the renovation of Shreenathji (Shree Krishna) temple in Manama.”
India enjoys close and friendly relations with Bahrain rooted in ancient trade and cultural links and people to people contacts and underpinned by regular exchange of high level visits.
India-Bahrain bilateral trade has been on the rise for the last few years, reaching about US$ 1.3 billion in 2018-19. Further about 350,000 Indian nationals, the largest expatriate community in Bahrain has been contributing to the development of Bahrain.
The presence of over 3,000 Indian-owned/Joint Ventures in Bahrain indicates the intense economic engagement between the two countries.
