Narendra Modi to visit UAE on August 23

He will then fly to Bahrain.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay his third visit to the UAE on August 23-24, and receive the Zayed Medal, India's Ministry of External Affairs has announced.

Modi is also scheduled to visit Bahrain from 24 to 25. 

During his visit, the prime minister will meet His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to discuss bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

"Prime Minister Modi would receive the Order of Zayed, the highest civil decoration of the UAE which was conferred earlier in April 2019 in recognition of the distinguished leadership of Prime Minister Modi for giving a big boost to bilateral relations between the two countries. The award in the name of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, acquires special significance as it was awarded to Prime Minister Modi in the year of the birth centenary of Sheikh Zayed," read the statement.

The ministry said India and the UAE enjoy warm, close and multi-faceted relations underpinned by cultural, religious and economic linkages which, during the prime minister's previous visit to the UAE during August 2015, stood elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

In February 2018, Modi visited UAE as chief guest at the World Government Summit. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has visited India in February 2016 and again in January 2017 as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

"With a robust flow of bilateral investments and an annual bilateral trade of about $60 billion, the UAE is our third-largest trade partner. Also, the UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India. A 3.3 million-strong vibrant Indian community in the UAE nourishes the vibrant people-to-people contacts between our two friendly countries. The visit would further strengthen our friendly bilateral ties with the UAE."

Visit Bahrain

Modi's visit to Bahrain on August 24 and 25 will be the first-ever by an Indian prime minister to the Gulf state.

During the visit, the prime minister will address the Indian community. The Indian embassy in Bahrain in a tweet on August 17 asked Indians to register to attend Modi's public address.

The prime minister would also be holding talks with Prince Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain, to discuss bilateral relations and also regional and international issues of mutual interest. His Majesty King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain will be hosting a banquet dinner in honour of the prime minister.

Modi would also launch the renovation of Shreenathji (Shree Krishna) temple in Manama.

India enjoys close and friendly relations with Bahrain, rooted in ancient trade and cultural links and people to people contacts and underpinned by regular exchange of high-level visits. India-Bahrain bilateral trade has been on the rise for the last few years, reaching about $1.3 billion in 2018-19. Further about 3,50,000 Indian nationals, the largest expatriate community in Bahrain has been contributing to the development of Bahrain. The presence of over 3,000 Indian-owned/joint ventures in Bahrain indicates the intense economic engagement between the two countries. The visit will provide an opportunity to further cement our mutually beneficial bilateral ties with Bahrain