Ways to expand ties in key areas to be focus of PM's UAE visit

Ways to expand ties in key areas of energy, trade and security will be the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to United Arab Emirates beginning August 16 during which he will hold talks with the leadership there and address the Indian community.
Announcing the two-day visit, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said, "At the invitation of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Prime Minister Modi will pay an official visit to UAE on 16-17 August."
During the visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades, Modi will hold talks with Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai among others.

Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi on August 16 from where he will fly to Dubai on August 17. The visit will be first in 34 years by any Indian Prime Minister. Late Indira Gandhi was the last Prime Minister to travel to UAE in 1981.
The visit also assumes great significance given that there has been very little progress seen in implementing various pacts particularly in the field of counter terrorism and enhancing maritime security.
According to official data, UAE is the second largest export destination of India with an amount of over USD 30 billion for the year 2013-14.

The 2.6-million-strong Indian community is the largest ethnic community in UAE constituting roughly about 30 per cent of the Gulf country's population.
The Indian community is planning a grand reception for Prime Minister Modi at the Dubai Cricket Stadium Grounds.