PM Modi on two-day visit to UAE, Qatar; to inaugurate first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, deliver the keynote speech at a global governance summit and address the Indian community during his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 13 and 14, a top official said on Monday.

From UAE, the Prime Minister will travel to Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday.

Addressing a press briefing here, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said this will be the Prime Minister's seventh visit to the UAE since 2015 and his third trip in the last eight months.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders will discuss ways to further deepen, expand, and strengthen the strategic partnership and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The Prime Minister will also meet Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Defense Minister of the UAE. At his invitation, the Prime Minister will participate as a special guest and deliver the keynote address at the Global Governance Summit 2024 to be held in Dubai.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Swaminarayan Temple, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. He will also address the Indian community at an event at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.

Responding to a question about the inauguration ceremony of the temple, the Foreign Secretary said, "The inauguration ceremony of the Swaminarayan Temple is a major part of Prime Minister Modi's visit to the UAE. As per the information available now, around 2000 to 5000 devotees are expected to visit the temple on that day."

The two countries are among each other's top trading partners, with bilateral trade totaling approximately USD 85 billion.

According to the Foreign Secretary, after completing his UAE visit on February 14, Modi will go to Doha, Qatar, in the afternoon of February 14. During the visit, he will hold bilateral talks with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, and senior dignitaries of Qatar. This will be his second visit to Qatar.

Qatar is a major investor in India, and the two countries boast a bilateral trade of around USD 20 billion.