The discussions are expected to focus on energy security, trade, investment, and the welfare of the Indian diaspora.
New Delhi: Narendra Modi will undertake an official visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday to further strengthen the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
During the visit, he is expected to meet Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to exchange views on bilateral matters, including energy cooperation, and explore ways to further enhance relations between the two countries.
“They will also discuss ways to further advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is supported by strong political, cultural, economic, and people-to-people ties,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
“The visit will help promote significant trade and investment ties between the two countries,” it added.
Energy security is expected to be a key focus area during the visit of Narendra Modi to the UAE, with two important MoUs likely to be concluded in the areas of LPG and strategic petroleum reserves, according to official sources.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner and the seventh-largest cumulative source of investment over the past 25 years. With a strong Indian diaspora of more than 4.5 million in the UAE, the visit is also expected to address matters related to their welfare.
Briefing the media, Secretary (West) in the MEA, Sibi George, said that Narendra Modi will undertake a six-day visit covering the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy.
In the second leg of the tour, the Prime Minister will visit the Netherlands, marking his second visit since 2017. During this leg, he is scheduled to meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and hold talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
For the third leg of the visit, Narendra Modi will travel to Gothenburg, Sweden, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The discussions will review the full range of bilateral relations and explore new opportunities to strengthen cooperation, particularly in enhancing trade between the two countries.
The two Prime Ministers will also address the European Round Table for Industry, a leading forum of European business leaders, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Secretary (West) Sibi George further said that during the fourth leg of the visit, Narendra Modi will travel to Norway on Monday to attend the 3rd India-Nordic Summit and hold bilateral engagements.
In the final leg of his visit, Narendra Modi will travel to Italy on Tuesday, where he is scheduled to meet President Sergio Mattarella and hold talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
