Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday. The trip has major strategic and economic dimensions, but its significance is wider — this will be the first visit to the Gulf Arab country by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades, and Modi’s maiden visit to an Islamic country.Given that late Indira Gandhi was the last Indian Prime Minister to have visited United Arab Emirates in 1981, Mr. Modi’s trip is being seen as an opportunity to boost India-UAE ties in key areas of trade and security.

PM’s agenda is improving trade and investment relations between the two nations which already have trade ties pegged at $60 billion per annum – a dip from what it was in 2013 but significant nonetheless, as UAE is comes only third after US and China.

India is the UAE’s second largest trade partner; the UAE is number three on the corresponding Indian list. The UAE is one of the economic engines that power the Arab world, and it has over the decades been the preferred destination for Indian workers seeking jobs in the Middle East.

Modi’s schedule in United Arab Emirates (UAE ):

On his first day, PM Modi will visit the iconic Sheikh Zayed mosque in Abu Dhabi that was built with marble brought in from all across the world, including from India. It also has the largest hand-woven carpet in the world where thousands can offer prayers at the same time.

His next stop will be a residential camp that is home to some 28,000 Indians workers. The PM will visit their accommodation area and also interact with around 300 workers.

The last stop on his visit will be the Dubai Cricket Stadium, where he will address 50,000 Indians. When registrations for the event opened just last week, within days, the organisers had to close applications as the numbers soon touched 51,000, exceeding the capacity.

Text of PM’s statement on his visit to UAE

During my visit, I seek to enhance cooperation in energy, trade and will talk to investors on why India is an attractive destination to invest. I am certain my visit will boost people-to-people ties between our Nations.

I specially look forward to meeting the large community of Indian workers based in UAE. No words will be enough to appreciate their hardwork and sweat over the last many years.

I will hold extensive talks with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, whose enlightened vision and farsightedness has taken UAE to new heights of development. I will meet His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE.