PM Modi embarks on five-nation visit, first leg begins in UAE
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi on Friday for the first leg of his five-nation visit. Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, he was welcomed by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, followed by a guard of honour. During the meeting between PM Modi and the Abu Dhabi President, discussions focused on the India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership and the rapidly evolving situation in West Asia. Energy security is expected to be a key topic of discussion, as India is monitoring growing concerns about oil supplies and maritime trade routes. Prime Minister scheduled to visit the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy The Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy. During the talks, PM Modi expressed India’s commitment to providing all possible support to bring peace to West Asia. The two sides also signed agreements to strengthen strategic cooperation in the energy and defense sectors. At the beginning of his meeting with the UAE leader, Modi said, “We condemn the attack on the UAE.” The United Arab Emirates, which hosts a major US military base, has been a target of Iranian attacks during the Iran-US Israel conflict. PM Modi said the UAE’s targeting was unacceptable, but the UAE’s handling of the current situation with restraint was commendable. The Ministry of External Affairs also stated that the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (IPR) signed an agreement with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for “strategic cooperation.” The two leaders also signed a strategic cooperation agreement in LPG, aimed at long-term supply of India’s most widely used cooking gas, economic stability, and energy partnership.