Prime Minister Narendra Modi left early Tuesday on his seventh visit to the UAE and second visit to Qatar since 2014. “I am travelling to the United Arab Emirates on an Official Visit from 13-14 February and to Qatar from 14-15 February,” he said in a departure statement.

On the invitation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Prime Minister said he will be addressing the gathering of world leaders at the World Government Summit in Dubai on 14 February.

During the UAE visit, he will inaugurate the first Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. The BAPS temple will be an enduring tribute to the values of harmony, peace and tolerance, which both India and the UAE share, he said.

A highlight of his UAE visit will be his address to members of the Indian Community from all Emirates of the UAE in Abu Dhabi. Ahead of the visit, Mr Modi posted on X “We are very proud of our diaspora and their efforts to deepen India’s engagement with the world. This evening, I look forward to being among UAE’s Indian diaspora at the Ahlan Modi programme! Do join this memorable occasion.”

He said “over the last nine years, our cooperation with the UAE in diverse sectors such as trade and investment, defence and security, food and energy security and education has grown manifold. Our cultural and people-to-people connect is stronger than ever.”

“I look forward to meeting His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of UAE, in Abu Dhabi and hold wide-ranging discussions on taking forward our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” he said.

“I had the privilege of hosting His Highness recently in Gujarat, where he was the Chief Guest at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024,” he said.

“My discussions with Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on the margins of the Summit will focus on strengthening our multifaceted ties with Dubai,” he said.

During his 14-15 February Qatar visit, the Prime Minister said he is “looking forward to meeting His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir, under whose leadership Qatar continues to witness tremendous growth and transformation. I am also looking forward to meeting other high dignitaries in Qatar.”

“India and Qatar enjoy historically close and friendly relations. In recent years, our multifaceted ties have continued to deepen in all spheres including high level political exchanges, growing trade and investment between two countries, strengthening of our energy partnership, and cooperation in culture and education,” he said.

The Prime Minister said “the presence of over 800,000-strong Indian community in Doha is a testament to our strong people-to-people ties.”