Deepening
Multifaceted Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a four day bilateral tour to Palestine, United Arab Emirates and Oman from 9th to 12th February.
The first stop was Amman in Jordan, where Prime Minister Modi met King Abdullah II, marking the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister in 30 years. In a gracious and personal gesture, the King invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his residence for the meeting. Jordan also extended logistical support for smooth facilitation for Prime Minister’s Palestine visit as he went to Ramallah in a chopper provided by Jordanian government, escorted by choppers from Israeli Air Force.
Prime Minister Modi met King Abdullah II, marking the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Jordan in 30 years
Prime Minister Modi visited Palestine on 10 February 2018 after transiting through Jordan. This was first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Palestine. The visit saw the Prime Minister hold discussions with President Mahmoud Abbas and reaffirm India’s support to the Palestinian people and to the development of Palestine. He also paid tributes at the Mausoleum of late President Yasser Arafat.
This was first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Palestine
Prime Minister Modi visited Ramallah on February 10, 2018. He had met President Abbas in 2015 on the sidelines of UNGA and again on the sidelines of Paris Meet. This will be his fourth meeting with the Palestinian President. India and Palestine undertook first ever historic ministerial-level joint commission meeting in November 2016, towards enhancing engagements in several areas including - Health, IT, Tourism, Youth Affairs, Sports, Agriculture etc.
The two leaders also witnessed inking of 6 agreements including - Setting up of India-Palestine Super-Specialty hospital at Beit Sahour in Bethelhem Governorate ; Construction of India-Palestine Centre for Empowering Women, "Turathi”; Setting up of new National Printing Press at Ramallah; Construction of school in Muthalth Al Shuhada Village and also in Tamoon village in Tubas Governorate and construction of additional floor to Jawahar Lal Nehru for Boys at Abu Dees.
"India is also a young country like Palestine. Our aspirations for the Palestinian youth are the same which we have for Indian youths and which offers opportunities for progress, prosperity and self-reliance. They are our future and inheritors of our friendship."
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi on 10th February 2018, to a ceremonial welcome. In a gesture of warmth and goodwill, the Prime Minister was personally received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and other members of the Royal family.
UAE is a valued strategic partner with whom India has fast-tracked cooperation in all major spheres including - economy, energy, high technology and security. Prime Minister discussed progress in these areas in his meetings the Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE & the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
He was also invited to address the 6th edition of the World Government Summit in Dubai, where India was the guest country of honour. The visit also saw him engage with the leading UAE and Arab CEOs in Dubai on the vast economic opportunities in India and towards bolstering business collaborations.
Prime Minister Modi paid a State visit to the UAE from 10-11 February 2018, at the invitation of President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The visit further enriched the rapport established at the highest political levels between India and the UAE and follows Prime Minister’s earlier visit to the UAE during August 2015 and the visits of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to India during February 2016 and in January 2017 as the Chief Guest at India’s 68th Republic Day celebrations.
This visit allowed the two leaders to take stock of the bilateral ties and to review the progress made in implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement signed during the last visit of the Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed to India in January 2017. Both sides also welcomed the signing of five key agreements that included – An MoU between Indian Consortium (OVL, BPRL & IOCL) and ADNOC; an MoU to institutionalise the collaborative administration of contractual employment of Indian workers in UAE; MoU between Ministry of Railways, India and Federal Transport Authority-Land & Maritime of UAE; between Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) to enhance cooperation between both the countries in financial services industry and an MoU between Government of Jammu and Kashmir and DP World to establish multi-modal logistics park and hub in Jammu comprising warehouses and specialized storage solutions.
"The 6 R's - reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, redesign, re-manufacture - and technology will take us to a point where we can rejoice"
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Modi delivered a keynote address at the World Government Summit in Dubai where India was a guest of honour this year. He said that it is a matter of pride for not only me but also the 125 Crore people of India that I have been called as the Chief Guest at the 6th edition of World Government Summit.
"We are created an innovation ecosystem in India via the Start-up India programme, India has become a start-up nation"
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Unveiling a replica of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha Swaminarayan temple whose Shila Poojan was being conducted at Abu Dhabi simultaneously. The Prime Minister thanked the Crown Prince Al Nahyan for allotting land for the construction of a temple. He expressed hope that the temple would give an opportunity to the whole world to experience Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – ‘The world is one family’. He said the rulers of the UAE had expressed much confidence in Indian values - and it is now incumbent upon the Indian community to fulfil those expectations.
"I want to thank His Highness Crown Prince on behalf of 125 crore Indians for the grand temple which will be constructed"
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Addressing the gathering, he said that it is after many years that the relationship between India and the countries of the Gulf region is so strong. He also appreciated the Indian community for working together with the people of the Gulf region, as partners in their dreams for the future.
“India's leap in World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Rankings from 142 to 100 is unprecedented. But we are not satisfied at this, we want to do better. We will do whatever it takes to make it possible”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
“I thank the Gulf countries which provided almost 30 lakh people from India a home-like environment, away from home”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Modi, paid a State visit to the Sultanate of Oman from 11-12 February at the invitation of Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman.
The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral, regional and global issues of common interest. and noted that the historically close bilateral ties, involving vibrant maritime trade and cultural exchanges, have expanded into strategic partnership based on trust and mutual respect. He also met Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said and Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs, Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tariq Al Said.
The two sides expressed satisfaction over the current state of bilateral relations, especially the robust security and defence cooperation, and agreed to further expand their cooperation to new areas of mutual interest, including inter-alia, space, cyber security, energy security, renewable energy and food security etc., with a view to take the strategic partnership to a higher level.
The Prime Minister also interacted with the leading businesspersons of Oman on developing stronger economic and business links with India. He also interacted with the Indian community which constitutes the largest expatriate community there.
Prime Minister Modi, paid a State visit to the Sultanate of Oman from 11-12 February. Oman is a close maritime neighbour with whom India enjoys excellent relations. During the visit he met Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman as well as the Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers and the Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs. The two sides reiterated the importance of regular bilateral dialogue through exchange of visits, at the level of senior officials. They expressed appreciation for the well-functioning bilateral institutional mechanisms in the fields of defence, security, trade and investment, agriculture, education, culture, manpower etc., already in place with a view to tap the existing potential for cooperation in these areas. They noted that new and potential areas of cooperation identified during the meetings held under these mechanisms have contributed in expanding bilateral ties and called for effective implementation of the decisions made under the framework of these mechanisms.
The two sides welcomed the signing of 8 agreements and MoUs including – Military Cooperation, Health, Tourism, peaceful use of outer space, an MoU on legal and judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters, mutual visa exemption for holders of Diplomatic, Special, Service and Official passports towards further consolidating and expanding the ongoing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
At the India-Oman business meet, Prime Minister Modi addressed the leading businesspersons from Oman and pitched India as an attractive destination for business. He interacted with them on developing stronger economic and business links with India. He highlighting the enhanced business environment and reform measures in the last three and a half years.
Prime Minister Modi performed Abhishekam at the historic Lord Shiva temple at Muscat and interacted with the members of the Temple Management Committee. The temple was constructed 125 years ago by the Merchant Community from Gujarat and was renovated in 1999. Situated in Muscat’s Matrah area, its a truly a vibrant centre of worship and spirituality which sees over 15,000 people visit during auspicious days and festivals.
Prime Minister Modi addressed the Indian community at Sultan Qaboos Stadium in Muscat, Oman. The Prime Minister appreciated the role of Indian diaspora in Oman and said that Indian diaspora has played an essential role in strengthening Indo-Oman ties. More than 9 million Indians work and live in the Gulf region, of which about one third live in the UAE alone. In Oman, they constitute the largest expatriate community.
