Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his third state visit to the UAE this week, New Delhi’s Ministry of External Affairs announced on Sunday.
Mr Modi will be in the UAE for two days from Friday and will travel from there to Bahrain, the ministry said.
During his visit he will meet Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The leaders will discuss ways to enhance the long-standing friendship and bilateral ties between the UAE and India, as well as the latest regional and international developments and issues of mutual concern.
Mr Modi will also receive the Order of Zayed, the highest civil decoration of the UAE, which was conferred on him in April in recognition of his work to develop ties between the two countries.
Mr Modi last visited the UAE in February 2018, when he was the chief guest of the World Government Summit held in Dubai. His first visit to the country was in August 2015.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016 and in January 2017, when he was chief guest of India’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.
During that visit, the UAE and India pledged to expand their trade by 60 per cent over five years.
Last year in the UAE, the two leaders reviewed progress towards achieving the $75 billion (Dh275.43bn) target for UAE investment in India’s infrastructure development.
Annual trade between the countries is estimated at about $60bn, the Indian ministry said.
“The UAE is our third-largest trade partner and the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India,” it said.
More than 3.3 million Indians live in the Emirates, more than in any other Arabian Gulf country.
“The visit would further strengthen our friendly bilateral ties with the UAE,” the ministry said.
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Modi's previous UAE visits - in pictures
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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, meets with Narendra Modi at the Presidential Airport in August 2015. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi -
Narendra Modi, middle, takes a selfie next to Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance, left, and Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, as they tour the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in August 2015. AP Photo -
Narendra Modi inspects the UAE Armed Forces Honour Guard with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces during a reception at the Presidential Airport in August 2015. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, greets Narendra Modi at the Presidential Airport in August 2015. Rashed Al Mansoori / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi -
Narendra Modi delivers a speech to members of the Indian expatriate community at the Dubai Cricket Stadium, on August 17, 2015. AFP -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed receives Narendra Modi at the Presidential Airport in February 2018. Omar Al Askaar for the Crown Prince Court
