PM Modi departs for his visits to UAE and Qatar

Modi will visit UAE from February 13-14 and UAE on February 14-15.

This is the Prime Minister's seventh visit to the UAE and second trip to Qatar.

Leaving for the trip, Modi said, "Over the last nine years, our cooperation with the UAE in diverse sectors such as trade and investment, defence and security, food and energy security and education has grown manifold. Our cultural and people-to-people connection is stronger than ever."

He added, "I look forward to meeting His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of UAE, in Abu Dhabi and hold wide-ranging discussions on taking forward our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

"I had the privilege of hosting His Highness recently in Gujarat, where he was the Chief Guest at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024."

Modi will address the members of the Indian Community from all the Emirates of the UAE at a special event in Abu Dhabi.

India and Qatar enjoy historically close and friendly relations. In recent years, our multifaceted ties have continued to deepen in all spheres including high level political exchanges, growing trade and investment between two countries, strengthening of our energy partnership, and cooperation in culture and education.

The presence of over 800,000 strong Indian communities in Doha is a testament to our strong people-to-people ties.

Qatar releases Indian Navy veterans

Modi's visit to Qatar takes place after eight Indian Navy veterans, who were in prison in Qatar over spying allegations and even at one point sentenced to death, have been released by the Arab country as confirmed by the Indian government on Monday.

The release is seen as a big diplomatic victory of India and Prime Minister Modi who supposedly personally intervened to secure their freedom.

Seven of them have already returned to India.