Our Correspondent/ Dubai
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that it is after many years that the relationship between India and the countries of the Gulf region is so strong.
Addressing the Indian diaspora at Dubai Opera House in UAE today, PM commended the Indian community for working together with the people of the Gulf region, as partners in their dreams for the future.
He described this as a partnership between two peoples. has expressed confidence that reforms undertaken by his government will take India to the Global Benchmark level in every sphere.
The Prime Minister assured the people that his government will work together to bring to reality the dreams they see in Gulf countries and in India.
Mr Modi said, the world is our stage and millions of Indians are progressing to new heights. He said, India is touching greater heights in terms of development. The Prime Minister thanked Gulf countries for providing 30 lakh Indians a home-like environment, away from home.
Mr Modi said, India’s leap in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Rankings from 142 to 100 is unprecedented. However, he said that his government is not satisfied at this and wants to do better.
Prime Minister Modi also delivered a keynote address at the World Government Summit in Dubai. He stressed on making technology a means of development, not a means of destruction.
He said some people are radicalising the cyberspace with the use of technology. Mr Modi said technology has empowered common man via minimum government, maximum governance. He said in E-governance, E stands for effective, efficient, easy, empower, and equity.
Citing Dubai as an example for the world in terms of technology, Mr Modi said a desert has been transformed. He described the transformation as a miracle.
On the invitation as the Chief Guest at the World Government Summit, the Prime Minister said it is a matter of pride for not only him but also the country’s 125 crore people. India is a guest of honour at the summit this year. More than 140 countries are participating in the Summit. Twenty Heads of States, head of governments and International organizations are participating in the Summit.
Earlier in the day, Mr Modi laid the foundation stone of the first Hindu temple ‘Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha’ in UAE through video conferencing.
The ceremony was live-streamed to the Opera House. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi said, the temple is a unique symbol of religious tolerance and the Indian principle of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam- one world one family. He said, the temple will give a new identity to Indianness in UAE.
Prime Minister Modi thanked the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on behalf of all Indians for the grand temple project. This is the first stone temple to be built in Abu Dhabi off Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway. The temple will be built on 55,000 square metres of land. The project will be completed by 2020.
During his engagements, Mr Modi met with Vice President, Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai. The two leaders had an engaging discussion on expanding bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security and people-to-people contacts.
Mr Modi also met his Kyrgyzstan counterpart Sapar Isakov in Dubai. He also interacted with business leaders from Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The Prime Minister spoke at length about the economic opportunities in India and the series of reforms undertaken in the last 3.5 years.
Mr Modi paid tributes to martyred soldiers at Wahat Al Karama, UAE’s war memorial in Abu Dhabi this morning. Earlier, India and UAE signed five agreements related to energy sector, railways, manpower and financial services after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan last night.
After concluding his historic tour to Palestine, Mr Modi reached Abu Dhabi yesterday evening as part of his three-nation visit.