Modi to visit UAE, Bahrain from Aug.23-24

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to pay a two-day state visit to Abu Dhabi from Aug.23-24, and also to Bahrain.

During his visit, Modi would meet His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to discuss bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest.

The prime minister would receive the Order of Zayed, the highest civil decoration of the UAE, which was conferred earlier in April 2019 in recognition of the distinguished leadership of Modi for giving a big boost to bilateral relations between the two countries, an MEA statement said.

The award in the name of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, acquires special significance as it was awarded to Modi in the year of the birth centenary of Sheikh Zayed.

India-UAE ties were elevated in 2015 to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In February 2018, Modi visited the UAE as Chief Guest at the World Government Summit.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations in 2017.

India-UAE bilateral trade stands at $60 billion, and the UAE is India's third-largest trade partner.

The UAE is also the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India and is home to a 3.3 million-strong Indian community.

The Indian prime minister would pay a state visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain from Aug.24-25 in the first ever Prime Ministerial visit from India to Bahrain.

During his visit, Modi would meet and hold talks with Prince Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain, to discuss the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and also regional and international issues of mutual interest. The Bahraini King would host a banquet dinner in honour of Modi.

Modi would also launch the renovation of Shreenathji (Shree Krishna) temple in Manama.

Indo-Asian News Service