Security expert terms PM Modi's UAE visit as 'important'

Security expert Qamar Agha on Sunday dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as 'important', saying India shares strong economic ties with the gulf nation.

"It is going to be a very important and significant visit. This is his first visit to gulf region and it is taking place after a long gap. We have very close economic ties with the UAE, almost 2.5 million Indians are working there and are involved in development activity," Agha told ANI.

"India immediately recognized UAE after its creation in 1971, but we have not been able to have political relations....In the age of globalization and liberal economic setup, economic relations have taken an important place and political ties have taken a backseat. That is what is forcing UAE and India to come closer, even if we have some differences," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his two-day visit to UAE this afternoon.

This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 34 years to a Gulf nation.

Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with the leadership of world's second largest Arab economy on terrorism. The Prime Minister will seek to boost the economic, cultural and social ties between India and UAE.

India would also seek to enhance cooperation in energy sector during the Prime Minister's visit.