Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on August 17, 2015. The trip has major strategic and economic dimensions, but its significance is wider.
Here are ten facts about it:
1. This will be PM Modi’s maiden visit to an Islamic country.
2. This will be the first visit to the Gulf Arab country by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades, the last one being late Indira Gandhi who travelled there in 1981.
3. This official visit is at the invitation of General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
4. After a ceremonial welcome, the Prime Minister will hold talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the crown prince - the number two - in the emirates.
5. He is scheduled to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on Monday.Modi is not known to have visited a mosque since he became chief minister more than a decade ago.
6. The Prime Minister will visit Masdar City, a "high-tech city" where he wants to pick up tips for his "smart city" project in India.
7. India is the UAE’s second largest trade partner; the UAE is number three on the corresponding Indian list.
8. Terrorism will be high on the talks agenda.
9. PM Modi is scheduled to attend a grand public reception hosted for him at the Dubai Cricket Grounds. Where almost 50,000 Indians are expected to be present.
10. Trade and investment will be top of the agenda, hoping to get the UAE to invest a part of its USD 800 billion sovereign wealth fund in India.
