Abu Dhabi Archives - Lokmarg - News Views Blogs

Modi to Visit UAE On Feb 13, Inaugurate Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi

By LokMarg 10th February 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to embark on a two-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 13-14 during which he will inaugurate the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, BAPS Mandir, and will also address the Indian diaspora.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release that PM Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and will also participate in the World Government Summit 2024

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 13 to 14 February 2024,” the MEA statement read.

This will be PM Modi’s seventh visit to the UAE since 2015 and the third in the last eight months.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders will discuss ways to further deepen, expand and strengthen the strategic partnership between the countries and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, the statement read.

Prime Minister Modi will also meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister of UAE. At his invitation, Prime Minister will participate in the World Government Summit 2024 to be held in Dubai as Guest of Honour and deliver a special keynote address at the Summit.

PM Modi will inaugurate the BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. He will also be addressing the Indian community in the UAE at an event in Zayed Sports city in Abu Dhabi.

According to the MEA, India and UAE enjoy warm, close and multi-faceted relations underpinned by strong political, cultural and economic linkages.

“Following the landmark visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations between the two countries been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED for cross-border transactions,” the statement added.

Notably, India and the UAE are among each other’s top trading partners with a bilateral trade of about USD 85 billion in 2022-23. UAE is also among the top 4 investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments in 2022-23.

Meanwhile, around 3.5 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in UAE. Their positive and well-appreciated contribution in the development of their host country has been an important anchor of our excellent bilateral engagement with the UAE, the MEA further stated. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Modi Accepts Invitation To Inaugurate BAPS Hindu Mandir In Abu Dhabi

By LokMarg 28th December 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted the invitation extended by Swami Ishwarcharandas and Swami Brahmaviharidas, along with the board of directors for the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi on February 14 next year, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said in a press statement.

PM Modi and the BAPS Swami Ishwarcharandas met on Wednesday at the Prime Minister’s residential office and PM Modi graciously accepted the invitation, expressing his enthusiastic support for the historic and iconic temple.

Swami Ishwarcharandas honoured the Prime Minister by adorning him with a garland and draping a saffron shawl over his shoulders, acknowledging his significant contributions to our nation and the world. The Prime Minister was specially commended for the remarkable renovation and development of pilgrimage sites across India, a feat unparalleled in recent centuries, said the press statement.

During the meeting, the discussions revolved around Abu Dhabi temple’s significance for global harmony and Modi’s vision for India’s spiritual leadership on the global stage.

The release read, “The BAPS delegation prayed for the Prime Minister’s health and acknowledged his exceptional global achievements, notably strengthening relationships with the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries. They also discussed the pride and inspiration Modi’s leadership has instilled in Indians worldwide.”

Recalling his personal and immortal memories of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and his glorious centenary celebrations, the Prime Minister expressed prayers for Mahant Swami Maharaj’s health.

PM also appreciated the efforts of key individuals, volunteers and supporters, involved in the BAPS Hindu Mandir project in Abu Dhabi, including those present before him such as Chairman Ashok Kotecha, Vice Chairman Yogesh Mehta and Director Chirag Patel, recognizing their contributions as significant sources of pride for India.

In a light-hearted exchange, the Prime Minister asked Chirag Patel about his love for tennis and his father Rohitbhai Patel and grandfather P D Patel; and also encouraged his children to continue working hard and achieve success in the sport.

As per the press statement, Swami Brahmaviharidas showcased the latest update of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing its intricate carvings and all-inclusive grandeur, saying that “the inauguration ceremony will be a great event, a millennial moment of celebration for time to come.”

To which PM Modi added, “It will reflect the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – an ideal spiritual space, not merely rooted in beliefs and traditions, but a confluence of diverse cultures and civilizations. The essence of spiritual harmony, symbolizing the path forward.” (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan NEP

India Plans To Open CBSE Office In Dubai: Pradhan

By LokMarg 1st November 2023

Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan has said India plans to open an office of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in Dubai.

The Union Minister for Education on Wednesday met UAE’s Minister of State (MoS) for Early Education and Chairperson Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) Sara Musallam in Abu Dhabi.

Pradhan said discussions with Musallam centred around support required from the Indian side to further facilitate the progress of the IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus, ADEK’s support to CBSE-affiliated Indian schools functioning in the UAE and our plans to set up an office of CBSE in Dubai.

He said: “UAE’s support to Indian schools has played a critical role in ensuring Indian children in the emirates remain connected to Indian curricula and roots.”

The Union Education Minister said the IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus will be an example of India-UAE friendship.

“Pleased to meet Sara Musallam, MoS for Early Education and Chairperson (Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge) ADEK, in Abu Dhabi today. Productive conversations on further expanding our cooperation in education and establishing education as one of the strongest pillars of our bilateral ties,” Pradhan wrote on ‘X’

“Both, Sara Musallam and I remain committed to taking our cooperation in education to the next level,” he further wrote.

Pradhan on Wednesday also visited the upcoming campus of IIT Delhi in Abu Dhabi.

The Union Education Minister on Wednesday also met UAE’s Minister of Education Ahmad Al Falasi in Abu Dhabi.

As per the Ministry of Education, “The Ministers signed an MoU to strengthen existing educational cooperation, facilitate student and faculty mobility and undertake various other initiatives. The minister also visited 42 Abu Dhabi, a school for disruptive learning.

“During the meeting, a significant MoU was signed by the ministers. The MoU aims to strengthen the existing cooperation in the field of educational institutions in both countries by facilitating student and faculty mobility, joint research programmes, designing courses, organising and participating in conferences, lectures, symposia, courses, scientific and educational exhibitions in areas of mutual interest held in both countries,” the Ministry of Education said.

It will also facilitate the exchange of information in the areas of regulations, legal structures and best practices in general and higher education in both countries.

Frameworks and policies in general and higher education, including national qualification frameworks, are necessary in order to facilitate mutual recognition of qualifications between both countries.

“The MoU will facilitate the creation of a Joint Working Group chaired by a representative of the Ministry of Education from India and the UAE. The JWG shall meet at least once a year alternately to review the implementation of this memorandum,” the Ministry added.

The Union Education Minister is on a 3-day visit to the UAE. The visit will foster collaboration, participation and synergy in critical areas of mutual interest in education and the skill domain.

During his meeting with his UAE counterpart, Pradhan said that with the UAE being a global economic hotspot and India being a global talent hotspot, both sides should work together to build a knowledge bridge to cement our civilizational connection.

The Ministers reviewed the bilateral engagements in education and skill development, particularly the progress on points discussed during our meeting on the sidelines of the 4th EdWG as a part of the G20 India.

They expressed satisfaction with the progress made with respect to mutual recognition of academic and skill qualifications and recognition of Indian institutes in the UAE, among others and underscored the need for continued work in this area.

The ministers expressed their commitment to strengthening institutional mechanisms and speeding up processes for smooth student and workforce mobility.

Pradhan also interacted with students and faculty at Abu Dhabi Indian School. (ANI)

For more details visit https://lokmarg.com/

Modi Meets COP28 Prez-Designate Sultan Al Jaber In UAE

By LokMarg 15th July 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), met the President-designate of COP28, Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, on Saturday assuring India’s full support for COP-28 presidency to the Gulf nation.

Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in Abu Dhabi earlier on Saturday, also highlighted India’s efforts and initiatives to address climate change during talks with Sultan Al Jaber.
Taking to Twitter, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, informed of the meeting between the two leaders.

“PM @narendramodi held a productive meeting with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-designate of @COP28_UAE and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Dr. Jaber briefed PM on the forthcoming COP-28,” Bagchi tweeted.

“PM assured ‘s full support for ’s COP-28 presidency. PM also highlighted ’s efforts and initiatives to address climate change,” he added.

Earlier, on Saturday, PM Modi also met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

PM Modi received a dazzling welcome in UAE as the iconic Burj Khalifa was lit up in the colours of the Indian national flag. As a part of the light-and-sound show the skyscraper also showcased PM Modi’s picture, followed by “Welcome Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi”

The Prime Minister emplaned for the UAE earlier on Saturday after concluding his two-day visit to France.

PM Modi called his France visit “memorable”, adding that it was more remarkable as he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality.

During his two-day visit to France, PM Modi participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, on Friday.

He visited France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)

Modi Meets Abu Dhabi Crown Prince In UAE

By LokMarg 15th July 2023

Kickstarting the final leg of his two-nation visit on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi, PM Modi was welcomed by Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at the airport.

Expressing his gratitude over warm welcome to the Gulf nation, PM Modi took to Twitter to post, “Grateful to Crown Prince HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for welcoming me at the airport today.”

On his arrival at the Abu Dhabi airport, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome.

“Furthering – partnership! PM @narendramodi arrives in Abu Dhabi to a ceremonial welcome. Warmly received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport,” the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, tweeted.

During his visit, the Prime Minister will meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on critical bilateral issues.

The PM emplaned for the UAE earlier on Saturday after concluding his two-day visit to France.

PM Modi, who was on a two-day official visit to France, participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, on Friday. He visited France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

“To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, a 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade,” the PMO said in a statement.

Just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said that its economic partnership with India “is a significant milestone in the history of both nations”.

The UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, said in an interview that the UAE-India non-oil trade is expected to reach USD 100 billion a year by 2030.

Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi noted that UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was designed to deliver a new era of growth and opportunity.

CEPA is an agreement signed between India and UAE on February 18, 2022, and came into force on May 1, 2022. The agreement was signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Speaking about the success of the CEPA between India and the UAE, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi said, “There is little question that the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will come to be regarded as a significant milestone in the history of both nations.”

“By removing or reducing tariffs on 80 per cent of goods, eliminating unnecessary barriers to trade, creating new platforms for investment, and opening government procurement to each other’s private sector, the UAE-India CEPA was designed to deliver a new era of growth and opportunity – and, ultimately, boost bilateral non-oil trade beyond USD 100 billion by 2030,” he added. (ANI)

Modi To Visit UAE On July 15

By LokMarg 12th July 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 15 and meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The PM would be given a ceremonial welcome, after which several bilateral talks and other events will be organized in honour of the Prime Minister’s visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday.

“After concluding his visit to France, the Prime Minister would depart for UAE and reach there on the fifteenth of July where he will meet His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi. To be followed by a ceremonial welcome, bilateral talks and other events organized in honour of prime minister’s visit to UAE,” Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said while addressing a press conference on Wednesday.
Kwatra said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayadal Nayan last met in June in Abu Dhabi when the PM visited UAE while on his return from the G7 summit in Munich.

“They have since also met on many virtual platforms, including in July last year, during the I2U2 (India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States) summit,” the Foreign Secretary said.

Kwatra further mentioned that in February 2022, during the virtual summit, the comprehensive economic partnership agreement between India and UAE was signed. A joint vision statement was also issued at that time.

“We have seen a significant jump, qualitative enhancement, in the substance of our engagement across the whole range of areas since the signing of the CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement). And the partnership has continued to grow from strength to strength. This is particularly reflected in the strong economic exchanges, both on the trade side, but also on the investment side, people-to-people ties and also convergence on a range of regional and international issues,” Kwatra added.

“UAE is also a special invitee during India’s G20 presidency summit to be held in September this year. Indian and UAE are also cooperating very closely on COP28, which will be held in UAE towards the end of this year,” Foriegn Secretary Vinay Kwatra said.

“Prime Minister’s visit to UAE provides a useful opportunity for us to review this important partnership and inject further momentum across the whole range of areas that we cooperated,” he added.

Further speaking on the economic ties between India and UAE, Kwatra informed that the bilateral trade is at 85 billion dollars between India and UAE. Which made UAE India’s third-largest trading partner last year. India’s second-largest export destination is UAE.

“Bilateral trade is currently at a very strong 85 billion dollars between India and UAE, making UAE India’s third largest trading partner last year and India’s second-largest export destination is UAE. Also, very substantial large sums of FTI (Foreign Trade Investments) flows from UAE have taken place to India, making UAE the fourth largest overall investor in India,” Kwatra informed during the press briefing.

Kwatra further informed that the UAE and India are also very strong partners in the field of energy security. Several new areas of partnership and engagement have also registered strong progress including in the field of renewables, health, food security, SNT, education, fintech, and defence and security.

“The Indian diaspora presents very strong and robust numbers in UAE, about 3.5 billion,” he said.

Kwatra credited the historical people-to-people ties between India and UAE to remain a key pillar of the strategic partnership between India and UAE.

Kwatra said that in the last few years, a significant transformation has taken place in India-UAE relations and central driver of this has been the vision of the two leaders, the President of the UAE and the Prime Minister of India.

“Both of them, of course, also enjoy an excellent personal rapport, which is reflected in their very frequent engagements,” Kwatra added.

Prime Minister will depart for the UAE after concluding his visit to France.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit France later this week to attend this year’s Bastille Day parade as the guest of honour, at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron.

The Bastille Day Parade will witness a 269-member tri-services contingent of the Indian Armed Forces marching alongside their French partners.

The Fete Nationale Francaise is celebrated on July 14 or the National Day in France. It is also known as Bastille Day as this day is the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille in 1789 during the French Revolution.

The Indian military contingent would also be part of the marching contingent on Bastille Day, alongside their French counterparts to mark this important milestone.

Notably, PM Modi’s visit will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the “strategic partnership” between France and India.

PM Modi’s visit is expected to herald the next phase in the India-France Strategic Partnership by setting new and ambitious goals for our strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation, including in a wide range of industries, an official statement released by the Indian Embassy in France said earlier. (ANI)

Over 90 Killed In Iran Protests Over Mahsa Amini’s Death

By LokMarg 2nd October 2022

At least 92 people have been killed nationwide in Iran amid protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody, media reports said, citing the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO.

“The international community has a duty to investigate this crime and prevent further crimes from being committed by the Islamic Republic, reported the Abu-Dhabi-based daily The National News, quoting IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam.
After the death of Amini on September 16, protests have erupted across Iran and are in their third week. There have been widespread rallies and strikes throughout the country’s Kurdish region on Saturday, reported The National News.

The protests, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old from Iranian Kurdistan, have become the biggest show of opposition to Iran’s clerical authorities since 2019, with dozens killed in the unrest. As per the last reports, about 83 people were confirmed dead in the protests.

Demonstrations have been witnessed outside Iran too, as many in London, Rome, Madrid, and, other western cities in solidarity with Iranian protesters, holding pictures of Amini, who died three days after she was arrested by the morality police for “unsuitable attire,” reported the media portal.

Iranian protesters and police had a violent confrontation in southeastern Iran. The confrontation happened as worshippers from Iran’s Sunni minority left Friday prayers at the Makki Grand Mosque in Zahedan, capital of Sistan and Balochistan province, reported Voice of America (VOA).

Footage shows men apparently bleeding from wounds being carried by others and placed on the ground as onlookers try to render first aid. One video filmed from inside the mosque shows worshippers walking to the exits and then running as apparent gunfire is heard outside.

Other clips, apparently from surrounding streets, show a man running and throwing a stone, a police vehicle on fire, and people watching as more gunfire is heard in the distance, reported VOA.

Dubai-based Iranian dissident Habibollah Sarbazi, who serves as secretary-general of the Balochistan National Solidarity Party, told VOA Persian that some worshippers joined an anti-government protest at a nearby police station and threw stones. Police responded by opening fire.

Sarbazi, whose group is one of several fighting for the rights of Iran’s ethnic Baloch minority, said he learned about the confrontation from what he called reliable sources inside Iran. He said those sources told him the protesters were angered in part by allegations earlier this month that a police officer at the station had sexually assaulted a teenage girl, reported VOA.

Another semiofficial news agency, Tasnim, said one of those killed was the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence commander of Sistan and Balochistan province, Seyyed Ali Mousavi. Iranian state media described the protesters as terrorists and separatists and accused them of firing weapons at police.

The Iranian opposition-led Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) told VOA that its sources inside Iran estimated that at least 40 protesters were killed and at least 20 security personnel were wounded.

In the past two weeks, Iranian authorities and rights activists have reported the killings of dozens of people including some security personnel as the government cracks down violently on mostly peaceful nationwide protests, reported VOA.

Initial public expressions of anger at Amini’s death and Iran’s decades-old mandatory public headscarf policy for women quickly evolved into Iranian protesters calling for more freedoms and the death of Iran’s Islamist rulers.

In recent years, Sistan and Balochistan provinces have seen occasional confrontations between Iranian security forces and armed groups, including anti-government Baloch rebels and gangs engaged in smuggling across Iran’s border with neighboring Pakistan and Afghanistan. (ANI)