ABU DHABI, Aug 16 (Agencies) : In the UAE to hold talks on enhancing cooperation in trade and security, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today began his two-day visit to the Gulf nation by visiting an iconic mosque in Abu Dhabi and later interacted with Indian workers.
"This magnificent place of worship strikes you with its size and beauty. It brings together exquisite skills and creations from around the world, and serves as a fine example of human achievements and unity," the PM wrote in the visitors book at the Sheikh Zayed mosque, the third largest in the world.
The PM also posed for a selfie at the mosque, which is constructed with marble brought in from all across the globe, including from India.
Modi also tweeted later, thanking UAE govt for alloting land to build temple in UAE capital Abu Dhabi. "I am very thankful to the UAE Govt for their decision to allot land in order to build a Temple in Abu Dhabi. This is a great step."
PM Modi then visited a residential camp that is home to some 28,000 Indians workers, where he interacted with nearly 300 of them.
Mr Modi, the first Indian PM to visit the UAE in 34 years, was received by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at the airport, in a departure from protocol.
Earlier, the PM had described the Gulf country as a "mini-India" close to his heart.
About 2.6 million Indians live in the UAE. "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," said PM Modi in an interview to Dubai-based newspaper Khaleej Times.
Improving trade and investment ties between the two nations is high on the PM's agenda and his trip is packed with business meetings. Trade with the UAE is pegged at $60 billion a year, down from 2013 but still third highest after trade with the US and China.
UAE's concern over the spread of Islamic State in the region is also expected to feature in talks.
Tomorrow, PM Modi will go to the Dubai Cricket Stadium, where he will address about 50,000 Indians.
Earlier :
Modi arrives in UAE, received by Abu Dhabi crown prince
Abu Dhabi, Aug 16 (IANS): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived in the UAE, in the first prime ministerial visit after three decades. He was received by Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport.
Modi is here on a two-day official visit that will see talks focused on boosting cooperation in energy and trade.
In a significant gesture, five brothers of the crown prince were also present at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport to receive Modi, according to tweets by external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup.
"For Crown Prince and his five brothers to receive a dignitary is a rare gesture reflecting imp attached to PM's visit," tweeted Swarup.
Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit the UAE after the 1981 visit of then prime minister Indira Gandhi.
Ahead of his visit, Modi said in an interview to Khaleej Times: "We have a range of common security and strategic concerns in the region, including terrorism and extremism.
"So India and the 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."
"I want to see the UAE as our foremost trade and investment partner. We would build regular and effective cooperation in a full range of security challenges. Our armed forces would engage with each other more.
"We will work together more closely in international forums and in addressing regional challenges. There are no limits to our relationship," Modi said.
Modi also described the UAE as a "Mini India" and vowed to build a "regular and effective cooperation in security challenges".
The UAE is home to 2.6 million Indian expatriates.
"I have begun my regional engagement with the UAE. This tells you the importance I attach to the UAE. We have resolved to sustain regular high level engagements and build a strong and comprehensive strategic partnership."
Modi will hold official talks with the leadership of Abu Dhabi and later visit Masdar City, a planned city project in Abu Dhabi, where he is expected to spend some time watching presentations.
Later, he will meet business people and focus on investments.
On Monday, he will first visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and later travel to Dubai, where after meeting the Dubai ruler, he will attend a grand public reception hosted for him at the Dubai Cricket Grounds.
The public reception, which begins at 7.30 p.m., is expected to see 50,000 Indian expatriates attending.