Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashemi praised the BJP leader and called him a “true treasure” of leadership.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Al Hashemi said that bilateral relations between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi are expected to rise to a new level, especially with regard to trade and technology after Modi’s visit.
Prime Minister Modi is on a five-day visit to five countries, with the UAE being the first stop on May 15. After the UAE, Modi will head to the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. Italy will be the Prime Minister’s last stop.
According to the official bulletin issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Modi will meet Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Gulf state. During his visit, the two leaders will exchange views on bilateral issues, such as cooperation in the field of energy, and regional and international issues of common interest.
The official statement added that they “will also discuss ways to strengthen the comprehensive bilateral strategic partnership supported by strong political, cultural, economic and popular ties. The visit will strengthen important trade and investment ties between the two countries.”
Moreover, the UAE is India’s third largest trading partner and seventh largest source of investments cumulatively over the past 25 years. In addition, the UAE hosts more than 4.5 million Indians.
Speaking to ANI, Minister Al Hashimi emphasized the deep people-to-people ties between the UAE and India, noting that every Emirati will have some connection with India in one way or another.
“If you ask any Emirati, you are likely to find that they have some connection to India in one way or another. I have a few members of my family who always go to India for treatment, and who rely a lot on Indian knowledge of herbs, and compare that to our own knowledge of herbs, because Emiratis also have a strong basic respect for traditional medicine, as you do too,” she said.
She added that this comes because of the trade relations between the two countries.
“One thing is certain for me, the future cannot be without a strong India and a strong UAE. So, I look at the milestones we have, the visit tomorrow, and the possible subsequent visits of my leadership to India, as well as the important proof points of the path that is growing from strength to strength,” she added.
(With inputs from Annie)
