Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a 2-day visit to the United Arab Emirates was received at the airport by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on Sunday. PM Modi described the Gulf country as "mini-India" close to his heart and said that he was "optimistic" about the outcome of the visit.
The Prime Minister is addressing a 50,000-strong Indian diaspora at the Dubai Cricket Stadium.
NDTV's Ketki Angre travels to the Gulf nation to give a first hand account of the PM's visit.
Government has launched a platform called Madad, eMigrate: PM Modi- If you have problems related to embassy, Government has launched a platform called Madad
- This can be used by Indians abroad so that they can reach the right authorities
- This can be done through the mobile phone as well
- eMigrate portal can also be used
- I have also been told that there are problems regarding eMigrate. I have told
- Authorities to find a solution within 30 days by September 17
PM Modi on Sri Lanka- It takes seven hours to get to Sri Lanka, but it took 17 years for Indian PM to go there
- Rajiv Gandhi was the last PM who went on a standalone visit. They are our neighbours
- And almost every day our fishermen keep fighting with theirs
- I went even to Jaffna where there was violence to go and listen to their problems and wipe their tears
In the end, solution is found through talks: PM Modi- In the end, solution is found through talks
- It doesn't matter for how long you fight, the final decision is taken after talks and on a table
- I want to tell those people that the route of violence is not the right way and it will only add ruin in History books
- That is why the situation demands that they shed violence and join mainstream
- Bangladesh and India had difficulty in deciding border. Infiltration was easy
- With your blessings, India took the initiative to find a solution through talks
- Last September, I met the President of Bangladesh and I promised her that she should have faith in me and give me some time
- She said what other option do I have. We signed the agreement
In Dubai speech, PM tags Pak without naming it in comments on terrorGood Taliban, bad Taliban, good terrorism, bad terrorism - this won't work. Everyone must decide whether they're with terrorism or humanism, says PM Modi.
FDI has gone up by 48 per cent, says PM Modi in Dubai- I'm telling the world, Make in India
- India is the land of opportunities
- It is a lucky country which has 65 per cent population that is below 35 years of age
- India is a youthful country. Youth is abundant everywhere
- They can produce here and sell to the world
- Foreign Direct Investment has gone up by 48 per cent
PM Modi takes a dig at Pakistan
UAE and India have made a clear statement against terror in their joint statement today. This is very important... samajhne wale samajh jayenge (the message will be clear to those it's intended for)
PM in Dubai:
- Today, I am also thankful to the top leaders of this country that they have backed the candidature of India's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.
- UAE and India have made a clear statement against terror in their joint statement today. This is very important... samajhne wale samajh jayenge (the message will be clear to those it's intended for).
- The way the world is seeing India has changed. And what is the reason- the reason is the 125 crore people of India
Crown prince has promised an investment of 4.5 lakh crores in India: PM in Dubai
Standing ovation for the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi for deciding to allot land for a temple in Abu Dhabi.
'Crown Prince and five brothers received me at the airport. This love, this respect is not for an individual. This is respect for India's changing place in the world,' says PM Modi
Prime Minister Modi's address to the Indian Diaspora:
- Imagine the strength shown, the magnetic power that has drawn the world here to Dubai
- People from Kerala are there in large numbers. And I am specially talking about them due to the New Year festival today.
- So many flights are there between India and UAE but it took 34 years for a PM to visit this Nation.
- I've never been here and imagine, to come here now as PM...!
- You could have taken offense, the top leaders here could have taken offense (about a leader visiting after such a long gap), but you have showered me with love.
PM Modi on Indians living in the Gulf:
When Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji was he PM, India had conducted nuclear tests and the world was shocked. Many were even angry Sanctions were put on India. That time, Vajpayee ji had asked Indians all over the world to help the nation. Responding to Atal ji's call, the role played by those working in the Gulf was exemplary.
Cheers across the stadium as PM Modi thanks those present for contributing to the India story.
It's never too late for a selfie! Dressed in bright saffron t-shirts specially made for today with the Indian tricolour and the PM's photo on it, this is a group of Indians from Kerala.
PM Modi is addressing a 50,000-strong Indian diaspora at the Dubai Cricket Stadium.
Here are the highlights of his speech:
- PM begins his speech with Bharat Mata ki Jai
- You are the people who have toiled for many years and earning a living here.
- You are also taking the pride of the country to greater heights.
- I see before me a mini-India
PM Modi arrives at a stadium in Dubai where he will address 50,000 Indians.
It's a very hot day here in Dubai. Even at 7 pm, the humidity levels are making the heat unbearable. But no one is budging from their seats. People coming up with interesting ways to keep cool including using a cold water bottle.
The cultural program at the Dubai stadium took a break for evening prayers. All music and audio was stopped for the evening namaz.
An excited crowd is chanting slogans of "Modi, Modi." PM Modi will speak at 9.30 pm (IST) at the mega reception billed as "Marhaba (welcome) NaMo". Gates of the stadium opened hours earlier.
Registration at the stadium to hear PM Modi was shut in few days due to overwhelming response. Here's what one of the entry points looked like a while back.
51,000 people have been registered to hear the PM speak at the Dubai cricket stadium. Giant screens have been set up outside the venue to accommodate those who couldn't register. Many have been braving the heat, humidity and traffic for hours.
The stadium, which is starting to fill up, has lots of enthusiastic crowds carrying Indian flags.
The stadium in Dubai can seat about 40,000 people. Another 15,000 are expected to watch the speech outside on video walls.
Traffic jams on the way to the stadium as people make their way to hear the PM. It's a few hours before he will arrive but it's already looking like it will be a packed house.
PM Modi saluted the remarkable skill and vision of the UAE founder saying it has managed to create a paradise in the desert.
Before leaving for the 2-day visit PM Modi told Khaleej Times he wants to see UAE as India's foremost partner in trade, investment and countering terrorism.
In Masdar City, this is the Personal Rapid Transport, a driverless car that operates on lithium battery that is charged through solar power. Seen here, NDTV's S Dhanapal shooting inside the car.
The PM's selfie at the Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque seems to have caught the fancy of many newspapers with prominent mentions also on the PM's brief visit to the industrial city Abu Dhabi that has 40% Indians in a camp of approx 50,000 people.
Sheikh Zayed mosque draws it's influence from Mughal architecture among others with many aspects a constant reminder of the Taj Mahal.
Glitzy, sparkling and lit up, Abu Dhabi certainly knows how to put on its brightest foot forward.
Emirates Palace, the hotel where PM Modi is staying in Abu Dhabi.
It was a 20-minute visit that will leave a lasting impression for the 300-odd Indian workers who were selected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Industrial City Abu Dhabi (ICAD) on Sunday evening.
The basketball court was the venue and the PM casually walked from one end of the court to the other where the workers were seated before his arrival. A loud applause announced his arrival as everyone stood to try and shake his hand and get their own Kodak moment.
Musku Ramu from Telangana was one of those. "When Modi ji came to where we were standing, he said, 'Telangana undu'."
He's been staying in this camp for 15 years and draws a salary of 4000 dirhams per month. Sarvan Kumar, though, was not so lucky. Panting and out of breath, he reached the ICAD basketball court a few minutes after the PM had left. "I had no idea he was coming. When I found out, I tried to come but the security guards had blocked off roads," he said.
The Industrial City Abu Dhabi can house 50,000 workers and is the largest residential camps in Abu Dhabi in terms of its size. Currently, approximately 28,000 Indians live here or about 40 per cent. The camp has different categories of accommodation from studio apartments, dormitories and one and two rooms. A six square metre space is the minimum that needs to be allotted per person and the area increases depending on the designation and salary. The manager of ICAD told the media that all buildings are centrally air conditioned.
Stories of workers plight and conditions of living in the residential camps has often been matter of concern in the Gulf but this particular camp, some residents suggested, is dubbed 'VIP camp' since living conditions here are better than other places.
The message PM Modi wrote in the visitors book at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque
I am delighted to visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. This magnificent place of worship strikes you with its size and beauty. It brings together exquisite skills and creations from around the world, and serves as a fine example of human achievements and unity.
I am confident it will be a symbol of peace, piety, harmony and inclusiveness that are inherent to the faith of Islam. It will also serve to remind generations about the extraordinary vision and leadership of the founder of UAE, his highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
PM Modi's first stop today is at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, conceived by the Founder of UAE after whom it is named. It's the third largest mosque in the world and is a spectacular structure that's a symbol of inter cultural faith.
This ATM dispenses gold, yes, you read right, gold. Choose between pendants or even bars, just swipe your card and get real time rates to make your choice.
After the ceremonial welcome at the Abu Dhabi airport, the PM went to his hotel, Emirates Palace.
The Emirates Palace is a high-end luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi that is famous for its coffee that's infused with gold shavings and also has a Gold ATM.
PM Modi arrives in the UAE
PM Modi was received at the Abu Dhabi airport by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a departure from protocol. The last time the crown prince welcomed a dignitary at the airport was in May this year when the King of Morocco visited the country.
