Indian Prime Minister Modi arrives on his seventh trip to UAE, launches UPI RuPay card

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Feb 13th, Tuesday making this his seventh trip to the nation. Modi’s original visit to UAE was in 2015, making it then the first visit by an Indian prime minister in 34 years.

Upon landing in Abu Dhabi, Modi was received by Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whom Modi called his brother. 

A statement from PM’s office read, “Over the last nine years, our cooperation with UAE in diverse sectors such as trade and investment, defense and security, food and energy security and education has grown manifold. Our cultural and people-to-people connect is stronger than ever.”

"This would build on previous understandings and cooperation on this matter and foster India and the UAE cooperation furthering regional connectivity," India's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held wide-ranging talks with the UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during which they reviewed the strategic partnership, discussed new areas of cooperation and witnessed the signing of several agreements, including a bilateral investment treaty. UAE and India had signed a free trade deal in 2022 aimed at doubling their bilateral trade to $100 billion. India remains a key buyer of Emirati oil, while the UAE hopes to boost its local industries. The countries have agreed to allow India to settle some payments in rupees as opposed to dollars, lowering transaction costs. 

Immensely grateful to my brother, HH @MohamedBinZayed, for taking the time to receive me at Abu Dhabi airport.   

I look forward to a productive visit which will further strength the friendship between India and UAE. 🇮🇳 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/OWQivfszI2

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2024

"Immensely grateful to my brother, HH @MohamedBinZayed for taking the time to receive me at Abu Dhabi airport," Modi posted on X (Twitter).

Prime Minister Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan introduced the UPI RuPay card service in Abu Dhabi. This will facilitate seamless cross-border transactions between the two countries. This follows the MoU on interlinking payment and messaging systems signed in July last year during the PM’s visit to Abu Dhabi. President Al Nahyan swiped a card embossed with his name to mark the start of the service in Abu Dhabi. “We are embarking on a new FinTech era with the launch of my UPI RuPay card and your Jaywan card,” Modi said as he met President Nahyan and termed it as a big achievement in itself.

PM Modi also signed intercontinental trade pact during UAE visit. The deal is a framework for a ship-to-rail trade corridor that would link India with Europe. Modi also will address the World Governments Summit in Dubai and inaugurate a new stone-carved Hindu temple near Abu Dhabi on Wednesday while in the UAE. Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate UAE's historic BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Abu Dhabi on February 14, marking a significant moment for the city's Hindu community. Public access begins March 1st.

After the temple inauguration, Modi will then travel on to Qatar. 

On February 13th, tens of thousands of Indians are expected to crowd into UAE’s Zayed Sports City Stadium to see Modi. Only Indian nationals were being permitted to attend the event in Abu Dhabi, organizers said.

Saffron 🚩flying high and strong ahead of the grand ceremony to welcome PM #ModiInUAEpic.twitter.com/PJtndSD9MV

— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) February 13, 2024

Of the over 9 million people living in the UAE, India estimates more than 3.5 million people from the Indian Diaspora in the country, making them the largest national group of people in the country. The Indian Diaspora in UAE is a mix of working laborers, white-collar professionals and multiple generations of Indian families.