New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commence his two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he will be inaugurating the first Hindu temple ‘BAPS Mandir’ in Abu Dhabi. During his visit, he will address the Indian diaspora filled with thousands of crowds besides meeting the top leadership of one of India’s closest strategic partners in West Asia. He will leave New Delhi by 11.30 am and will land in Abu Dhabi at around 4 pm.

Notably, the Ministry of External Affairs, in its special briefing on Monday, marked the visit as crucial amid the fact the Prime Minister will meet Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) whom he met in December last year during his visit to Gujarat. During his visit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said the two sides are likely to ink a number of agreements to shore up cooperation in several key areas following a bilateral meeting with the UAE leader.

“We are also looking to see if we can arrive at an understanding on investments in the field of digital infrastructure, arrangements for the protection and promotion of capital flows,” said Kwatra during a press briefing on Monday.

Kwatra said there may be some understanding of cooperation in the domains of ports and the maritime sphere. “Since the digital cooperation between our two economies is an important element of the partnership, we are also looking to see if we can arrive at an understanding on investments in the field of digital infrastructure,” he said. Kwatra said the two sides are also examining possible cooperation in the areas of maritime heritage as well as on fintech products and railways. “Currently the two sides are busy discussing various agreements that could be finalised during the visit,” Kwatra said, adding he was not in a position to share more details

This is a developing story. More details will be added.