Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit UAE this week

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• Jul 12, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week as part of a...

Digital Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week as part of a larger diplomatic tour that will also see him travel to France.

The Prime Minister will be in France on July 13 as the chief guest for the Bastille Day parade.

The visit to the UAE is PM Modi's fifth since taking office in 2014, highlighting the rising importance of the two countries bilateral relationship.

He visited the UAE in June 2022, August 2019, February 2018, and August 2015.

During his earlier visit in June 2022, Prime Minister Modi met with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President and ruler of Abu Dhabi, to express condolences on the death of former President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

This gesture demonstrated the presidents' growing personal rapport and their willingness to further strengthen ties between India and the UAE.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) inked by India and the UAE last year has played a critical role in strengthening bilateral trade.

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Over the past year, the agreement has had a substantial impact on India's exports to the UAE, both in terms of oil and non-oil products. Trade volume between the two countries has reached historic highs, rising from $72.9 billion in fiscal year 2021-2022 to $84.5 billion in fiscal year 2022-2023, a 16 percent increase year on year.

In addition to economic collaboration, India and the UAE's defense cooperation has grown steadily. Regular interactions at the highest levels, such as service chiefs, functional-level engagements, and military education exchanges, have enhanced bilateral defense cooperation even further.

Both countries have performed cooperative naval exercises and port visits on a regular basis, developing mutual confidence and friendship among their military forces. An annual defense discussion provides a forum for India and the UAE to debate and strengthen security and defense cooperation.