LIVE Updates: PM Modi (left) meets His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. (Source: MEA/Twitter)
PM Modi arrived at Abu Dhabi where he was received by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and other members of the Royal family, the PM was accorded a ceremonial welcome. Modi will witness the signing and exchange of agreements between the two countries and will proceed to attend the banquet dinner hosted by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
Earlier in the day, Narendra Modi made a state visit to Palestine, a first by an Indian Prime Minister, where he was received by Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas and was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at Al-Muqata’a. Modi’s first engagement after arriving in Ramallah was the wreath laying ceremony at the Mausoleum of Late President Yasser Arafat.
See pics: PM Modi meets President Abbas on historic visit to Palestine
PM Modi on Friday arrived in Jordan on the first leg of his tour of three West Asian countries, including Palestine, during which he would hold talks on deepening cooperation in strategic areas such as security and trade. PM Modi’s visit to Palestine comes a month after India hosted Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
0830 - Arrive at Wahat Al Karama; tour of Wahat Al Karama
0930 - Community Event (Dubai Opera House)
1045 - Meeting with GCC business leaders (Venue: Majlis-e-Mina, Mina A’Salam Hotel)
1120 - Meeting with Prime Minister of France
1140 - Meeting with HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai (Venue: Jumeirah Al Naseem Hotel)
1220 - Tour of Museum of the Future 1255 - Walkthrough of Sheikh Zayed Exhibition
1320 – Inaugural Address at the World Government Summit (Venue: Arena Hall, Madinat Jumeirah)
1530- Emplane for Muscat
1645- Arrival at Muscat, ceremonial reception
1845 - 2000 Community Event (Venue: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex)
2030 - Meeting with H.M. Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Sultan of Oman
2145 - Banquet Dinner hosted by H.M. Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Sultan of Oman
To deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of finance, an MoU between Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) was signed and exchanged. It aims to enhance cooperation between India's and UAE's financial services industry.
The MoU envisages information exchange, exchange of experts and training for the mutual benefit of both the countries. The press release states that the MoU would facilitate investment in financial markets by investors from both the countries.
An MoU for Technical Cooperation in Rail Sector was also signed between Ministry of Railways of India and Federal Transport Authority - Land & Maritime of UAE. The MoU aims at achieving cooperation in the railways. The press release states that the MoU will facilitate the development of joint projects, knowledge sharing, joint research and technology transfer. The MoU also envisages the formation of a 'Joint Working Group' for institutionalising the cooperation mechanism.
'Right now UAE has a fairly nascent railway network. They are looking at expansion and they are looking at India to be their partner in this', said Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri.
To achieve cooperation in the field of manpower, India and UAE signed an MoU that aims to institutionalise the collaborative administration of contractual employment of Indian workers in UAE. The press release states that under the MoU, India and UAE will work to integrate their labour related e-platforms for bringing an end to the existing malpractices, combat trafficking and organize collaborative programs for education and awareness of contractual workers.
An MOU between Indian Consortium comprising ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL), Bharat PetroResources Limited) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was signed for the acquisition of 10 per cent participating interest in the offshore Lower Zakum Concession. The concession will be for 40 years (2018 to 2057), 60 per cent of the participating interest will be retained by ADNOC and remaining 30 per cent will be awarded to other International oil companies. This is the maiden Indian investment in the upstream oil sector of UAE.
The MoUs signed and exchanged are related to the energy sector, railways, manpower, financial services and investment in Jammu and Kashmir.
An MoU between Government of Jammu and Kashmir and DP World is signed to establish 'multi-modal logistics park and hub' in Jammu comprising warehouses and specialized storage solutions.
Five government-to-government MoUs signed between India and UAE in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Delegation level talks led by PM Narendra Modi and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reports ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates to a ceremonial welcome.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in UAE. (Image source: MEAIndia/Twitter)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Abu Dhabi, reports ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departs for Jordan from Palestine's Ramallah. (Photo source: ANI)
Friendship between India and Palestine has stood the test of time.
We hope for peace and stability in Palestine, we believe a permanent solution is possible with dialogue. Only diplomacy & farsightedness can set free from violence & baggage of the past. We know it is not easy but we need to keep trying as a lot is at stake: PM in Palestine, reports ANI
Bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Mahmoud Abbas is over. Signing of agreements on health, education.
I have assured President Abbas that India is bound by a promise to take care of Palestinian people's interests. India hopes that soon Palestine will come a free country in a peaceful manner: PM Modi in Palestine
India is aiding construction of an institute of diplomacy in Palestine. I am happy that we are moving forward with our developmental corporation during this visit, I am happy to announce that we will double the number of exchange students from this year taking it from 50 to 100: PM Narendra Modi, reports ANI
People of Palestine have continuously shown exemplary courage in extremely tough times, in spite of the fact that there was an unstable environment. The way you moved forward in such a situation is praiseworthy, we appreciate it: PM Modi in Palestine
India & Palestine's relations have stood the test of time. Palestine has always taken a top spot in our foreign policy: PM NarendraModi, reports ANI.
This is an honour for India and a symbol of Palestine's friendship. I thank you on behalf of all Indians for this: PM Modi on the Grand Collar of the state of Palestine conferred to him.
Here I would like to assert our commitment to political action & negotiations as means of achieving our national goals to freedom & independence in accordance with the two states' relation along the lines of 1967: President Mahmoud Abbas
We have said & will say we are ready to engage in negotiations. We rely on India's role as an international force & its role in the non-alignment movement & in the international fora, in a way that is conducive to desired peace in our region: President Abbas on Israel-Palestine relations, reports ANI.
"It is my honour to welcome you as a great guest, on your first historic visit to Palestine which holds — to you personally and to the people of india — sentiments of love & appreciation. Indian leadership has always stood by peace in Palestine," said President Mahmoud Abbas, reports ANI.
PM Modi and Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas witness exchange of agreements between India and Palestine in Ramallah, reports ANI.
The commendation reads “In recognition of his wise leadership and his lofty national and international stature, and in appreciation of his efforts to promote the historic relations between the State of Palestine and the Republic of India; In acknowledgement of his support to our people’s right to independence and freedom so that peace prevails in the region.”
President Abbas conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine on PM Modi after the conclusion of their bilateral meeting. (Source: PMO/Twitter)
In recognition of PM Modi’s contribution to relations between India and Palestine, President Abbas conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine on him after the conclusion of the bilateral meeting. The Grand Collar is Highest order given to foreign dignitaries, reports ANI.
After paying homage to Yasser Arafat at the Mausoleum, PM Modi is scheduled to take a short tour, accompanied by Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, of the Yasser Arafat Museum located adjacent to the Mausoleum.
The Mausoleum of Yasser Arafat was unveiled on November 10, 2007, and is located adjacent to the compound of Presidential Headquarters (Al-Muqata'a).
PM Modi will take a short tour, accompanied by Hamdallah, of the Yasser Arafat Museum located adjacent to the Mausoleum. PM Modi, who is on his maiden trip to Palestine, will be received by President Mahmoud Abbas and will review the guard of honour.