New Delhi/Dubai, Aug 13: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced details about his upcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates and expressed confidence that his visit would boost people-to-people ties between India and UAE.

His visit starts on Sunday and will be the first prime ministerial visit in 34 years, Mr Modi said. The visit will include talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
Mr Modi has written following paragraphs on his Facebook page:
“On 16th August I begin my visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This will be the first Prime Ministerial visit in 34 years. UAE is a valued partner and the extent of our ties indicate the vibrant relations India and UAE enjoy- India is UAE’s 2nd largest trading partner and UAE is India’s 3rd largest trade partner. There are over 2.5 million Indians who have made UAE their home. They have contributed immensely to the progress of UAE and also given back to India at every occasion. India and UAE are fantastically connected be it via air or through the sea.
“The economic strides taken by UAE are extremely admirable. UAE is a global economic success story that has attracted people from all over the world. UAE has also emerged as an important logistics hub. UAE and India’s strong partnership goes back several years. Both are multicultural societies that respect and celebrate plurality and diversity.
“During my visit, I seek to enhance cooperation in energy, trade and will talk to investors on why India is an attractive destination to invest. I am certain my visit will boost people-to-people ties between our nations.
“I specially look forward to meeting the large community of Indian workers based in UAE. No words will be enough to appreciate their hardwork and sweat over the last many years.
“I will hold extensive talks with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, whose enlightened vision and farsightedness has taken UAE to new heights of development. I will meet His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE.
One of the places that I will visit in UAE is the Masdar City, a zero carbon city, which is an effort towards creating a cleaner and greener tomorrow.”
Elaborate arrangements
By Wednesday evening, the website, www.namoindubai.ae, registered 48,000 for a public reception in Dubai Sports City on August 17. “Although the stadium has an expanded capacity of 30,000 we will make sure to accommodate more by covering the ground,” said businessman B.R. Shetty, member of the organising committee.
Meanwhile, the organisers have made elaborate arrangements to cool the stadium and the air-conditioning system will be switched on a day before to ensure the place is sufficiently cool on the day of the event. Dubai temperatures are as high as 42 degrees Celsius and the humidity is almost 60 per cent in the evening. “We do not want our people to sweat and face inconvenience in the heat and that is why we are making this elaborate arrangement with new technology to cool the stadium so that people can listen to their leader in peace,” added Shetty.
During the reception, the Indian Consulate has planned a cultural show to welcome Modi. While the Indian Consulate is planning to distribute free water, the organisers are making arrangements to distribute light snacks to the attendees. Entry is on a first-come-first-served basis and people are advised to take their seats at least an hour in advance. Owing to the tight security arrangements, gates will be closed an hour before the event scheduled to begin at 6.30pm.

Comments
Add new comment