From Priyanka Tikoo
Abu Dhabi

With terror and investments high on his agenda for talks with the UAE leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today began his two-day trip to this strategic Gulf nation with a visit to the historic Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque, the world’s third largest.

Within hours of his arrival in the UAE’s capital for the visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 34 years, Modi went around the mosque’s 180,000 sq ft courtyard, with its exquisite floral design. It is considered to be the largest example of marble mosaic in the world.

The Prime Minister, wearing a cream-coloured kurta with a white and orange stole, went around the mosque built at an estimated cost of USD 545 million, evincing interest at the imposing 82 domes in seven sizes located inside the worshipping place.

“I am delighted to visit this magnificent place of worship, strikes with its size and beauty. It brings together requisite skills and creation from around the world and serves as a fine example of human achievement and unity. I am confident that it will be a symbol of peace, piety, harmony and inclusiveness that are inherent to the faith of Islam,” Modi wrote on the visitor’s book.

Modi was earlier warmly received by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi along with his five brothers at the airport, in a departure from protocol. The last dignitary to be received by him was the King of Morocco in May this year.

Clearly indicating his agenda for talks with the leadership tomorrow, Modi said in an interview to Khaleej Times that he wanted to see the UAE as India’s foremost partner in trade and in countering terrorism, noting that both countries have a range of common security and strategic concerns in the region, including extremism.

“We have a range of common security and strategic concerns in the region, including terrorism and extremism. So India and UAE have everything to be a top priority for each other. This is the way I look at the UAE. The Gulf region is vital for India’s economic, energy and security interests,” he said.

Modi further said he was keen to foster a strategic partnership, particularly in the security, energy and investment sectors, with the fastest growing Arab economy and its visionary and pragmatic leadership.

Apart from seeking enhanced cooperation in energy and trade, Modi, during the visit, will reach out to investors to promote India as an attractive business destination.

Visit’s focus on trade and investments is also reflected in the fact that Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is hosting a dinner in honour of the Prime Minister.

ADIA has USD 800 billion sovereign funds and India is expected to woo it to attract investments in the infrastructure sector.

India-UAE trade, valued at USD 180 million (Dirham 660.6 million) per annum in the 1970s, is today around USD 60 billion, making the UAE, India’s third largest trading partner for the year 2014-15 after China and the US.

Modi also interacted with Indian workers at their camps I-CAD to know the problems they face and discussed ways Indian government can help them.

The I-CAD Residential Labour Camp houses thousands of migrant labourers from the Indian subcontinent in an area spread over one square kilometre.

About 2.6 million Indians constitute nearly 30 per cent of the population of this country.

Notably, a large portion of the 2.6 million Indians in the UAE are from Bihar and many are Muslims.

Security agencies of both nations had cleared a select group of 300 migrant workers to interact with Modi in a modest 20X40-metre sports hall on the premises. Much to the delight of the workers, Modi posed for group photographs.

Soon after his arrival in the UAE, Modi tweeted, “Hello UAE. I am very optimistic about this visit. I am confident the outcomes of the visit will boost India-UAE ties.” He also tweeted the message in Arabic.

Modi said, “I deeply appreciate kind gesture of his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who received me at the airport.” The Prime Minister was also accorded a ceremonial reception at the airport.

PTI