‘Bharat, UAE dosti zindabad’, Modi tells Indians in Abu Dhabi

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed the huge gathering of the Indian diaspora in Abu Dhabi, amidst an electrifying atmosphere at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.

While the stadium reverberated with ‘Modi-Modi’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ chants, the Prime Minister started off his speech boasting about India-UAE friendship.

“Bharat, UAE dosti zindabad,” said Modi while the huge gathering cheered and shouted slogans.

Modi credited the Indian diaspora for the strong friendly ties between the two nations.

“We should live this moment of India-UAE friendship to the fullest and keep this as a memory forever,” he said.

The event, organized by the Indian community in the UAE capital, witnessed a gathering of more than 50,000 Indian expatriates.

Notably, the UAE is home to about 3.5 million Indians which constitutes roughly about 35 percent of the country’s population.

Earlier, Modi received a rousing welcome on his arrival by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders shook hands and hugged each other.

Both leaders also held a bilateral meeting.

Modi, while addressing Indian diaspora members in Abu Dhabi, said that UPI services would be introduced in UAE soon after India shared the RuPay card pack with the Gulf nation today.  

“With this, seamless payments will be possible between the UAE and Indian accounts…,’ Modi said. The Prime Minister also said that relations between India and UAE were “reaching unprecedented heights”, adding that the two countries were partners in each other’s progress.

Modi, while highlighting the Digital India campaign, said that UPI services would soon begin in UAE. Talking about the digital revolution in India, Modi said that the people in UAE would also receive the benefits. 'We shared RuPay card pack with the UAE...UPI is about to begin in UAE soon. With this, seamless payments will be possible between the UAE and Indian accounts...,' Modi said.

Modi said that the world looks at India as a 'Vishwa Bandhu', while adding that India is among the first countries to reach wherever there is crisis. "Today India's voice is heard on every major platform of the world," Modi said. "Today's strong India stands with its people at every step..." he said.

Modi, while speaking at the 'Ahlan Modi' event on Tuesday, said that the UAE was India's third largest trade partner and seventh largest investor. "Both the countries are cooperating a lot in Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business. Even today, the MoUs that were signed between us are taking forward this commitment," Modi said. He said that the two countries were integrating their financial system, while strengthening their partnership in the field of technology and innovation.

Modi, while addressing members of the Indian diaspora in Abu Dhabi, said that a new Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) office would soon open in Dubai. He added that a Master's course was also introduced at IIT-Delhi's Abu Dhabi campus. "These institutions will help provide the best education to the Indian community here," Modi said. 

Modi said that it is every Indian's goal at present to make India a developed country. While addressing members of the Indian diaspora at the Ahlan Modi event, the Prime Minister highlighted the country's start-up ecosystem, the Mars space mission, and the development of 5G technology in the country. 

Modi, addressing Indian diaspora members in Abu Dhabi, said that what India and UAE had achieved in community and cultural relations could serve as a model for the whole world. He further said that India-UAE relations are reaching unprecedented heights, adding that the two countries were partners in each other's progress.

Modi, while addressing the 'Ahlan Modi' event in Abu Dhabi, said that he was fortunate that he was awarded the country's highest civilian honour - The Order of Zayed. "This honour is not just mine but that of the crores of Indians, of all of you," Modi said.

Modi, talking about UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to Gujarat for the Vibrant Gujarat Summit last year, said that lakhs of people had welcomed him because of the way he had taken care of the Indian diaspora. "I am happy that we got the opportunity to welcome him four times in India," Modi added.

Recalling his diplomatic visit to the UAE in 2015, Modi said that it was the Indian PM's first visit in three decades to the gulf nation. " At that time, I was welcomed at the airport by the then Crown Prince and today's President along with his five brothers," Modi said. "That welcome was not for me alone but for the 140 crore Indians...," the Prime Minister added.

Modi, while addressing Indian diaspora members at the Zayed sports stadium in Abu Dhabi, said that he had brought the fragrance of the soil where they were born. He added that he had also "brought the message of 140 crore people. The message is that Bharat is proud of you...". 

Modi, while addressing the Indian diaspora in Abu Dhabi at the 'Ahlan Modi' event, said that the members had created history. 'You have come from all corners of UAE, and different states of India, but everyone's hearts are connected. At this historic stadium, every heartbeat, every breath, every voice says - Long live India-UAE friendship..,' Modi said.