Abu Dhabi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday discussed ways to improve trade and cultural ties between India and the UAE with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Welcoming Modi, the crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, expressed gratitude to his “brother” for visiting “his second home”.
“Further cementing a close friendship. Fruitful talks between H.H. Crown Prince @MohamedBinZayed and PM @narendramodi in Abu Dhabi. Both leaders discussed ways to improve trade and cultural relations between India and UAE,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) tweeted after the meeting.
The two leaders also discussed the “full spectrum of the strong India-UAE partnership”, which has been “built over generations”, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
An incomparable honour reflecting our warm ties
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 24, 2019
PM @narendramodi conferred with the prestigious ‘Order of Zayed’ by HH Crown Prince of UAE @MohamedBinZayed, the highest civilian honor of UAE for PM's contribution in strengthening relations between India and UAE. pic.twitter.com/0JzcKFqsSy
There was a “new energy” in the relationship between the two leaders, he tweeted. Kumar quoted the crown prince as saying, “I am so grateful that my brother is coming to his second home.”
With robust flow of bilateral investments and an annual bilateral trade of about USD 60 billion, the UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner. It is also the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India.
