Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Al Nahyan to arrive in Delhi tomorrow
09 February, New Delhi
After upgrading the UAE-India ties to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dubai in August, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces General Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will arrive in Delhi on a reciprocal visit starting tomorrow.
After his arrival at Palam airport, Al Nahyan will call on External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Next day, he will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and from there he will proceed to lay wreath at Rajghat. Then he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s residence.
The Crown Prince then will call on President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari. He will meet the Prime Minister again at Hyderabad House and the two sides will exchange agreements, and may address the media. On Friday, Al Nahyan will fly to Mumbai and from there back to Abu Dhabi after a visit to Bombay Stock Exchange.
During his engagements, Al Nahyan will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials and captains of industry.India and UAE have historically enjoyed close and friendly relations anchored on mutually beneficial commercial exchanges and extensive people to people contacts.
A well-balanced bilateral trade amounted to 59 billion dollars in 2014-15, making UAE third largest trading partner of India. The UAE is among the largest investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments. It contributes significantly to India’s energy security and is the sixth largest supplier of crude oil to India in 2014-15.
About 2.6 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in UAE-recognised for its contribution in the development of the country. India has vital stakes in the security and stability of the Gulf region, which hosts over seven million Indians. This region is also the source of nearly two-third of Indias crude oil requirements and is India’s largest trading partner.