Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Palestine on Friday as part of his tri-nation tour to Palestine, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. This is part of his West Asia and Gulf outreach. He also made a brief stopover at Jordan
He travelled to Ramallah in West Bank, headquarters of the Palestinian Authority, via Jordan. Indian diplomats said the visit to Ramallah through Jordan without crossing any of the Israeli checkpoints is consistent with India’s “de-hyphenation policy”.
In a special recognition of the Prime Minister's contribution to relations between India and Palestine, President Abbas conferredthe Grand Collar of the State of Palestine on him after the conclusion of their bilateral meeting.
PM Modi, who landed in Abu Dhabi on the second leg of his tour, also held wide-ranging talks with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two sides signed five agreements including a historic pact awarding a consortium of Indian oil companies a 10% stake in offshore oil concession.
Here are the latest updates for Day 3. All times are in IST.
Narendra Modi is speaking at the Community Event at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat to large crowds. He begins by saying that "relations between India and Oman are hundreds-thousands of years old." He recounts the time he last visited Oman, ten years ago while he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, while on a visit to Africa.
Elaborating on his party's style of governance, he says the mantra of "minimum government, maximum governance" is all meant to "simplify the life of the common citizen of the country."
Narendra Modi arrives in the Oman capital, Muscat. It's his first State visit to the country and he is warmly received by the Deputy PM of Oman. He is greeted by large crowds of Indians on arriving at his hotel. His first programme is the Community Event at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
Narendra Modi arrives in Muscat and greeted by the Deputy PM of Oman
He said ahead of his visit: “I shall also interact with leading businesspersons of Oman on developing stronger economic and business links with India.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the sixth World Government Summit.
Mr. Modi begins his speech thanking the government of UAE for such warm welcome. "All the diaspora living here have got a home away from home, and I am thankful for the people here for being so kind."
PM talks about the importance of technology in developing a nation. "Technology is the key to improve human lives. Technology is changing at the speed of thought. It is also the medium of disruptive change. In terms of technology, a desert has been transformed. It's a miracle," he says, citing Dubai as an example for the world.
PM Narendra Modi meets Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Sapar Isakov. Photo: Twitter/@BJPLive
He point out how the world needs to be cautious about using technology as many can use it to cause harm to nature and future of human beings. "We must make technology a means of development, not a means of destruction. Technology has empowered common man via minimum government, maximum governance. ," he adds. In E-governance, "E" stands for effective, efficient, easy, empower and equity, he points out.
Mr. Modi further says that the future of humanity should not to be struggle with nature. He points out six steps, six "R" - reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, remanufacture, redesign, - which will "eventually bring us to R ejoice."
Mr. Modi points out the changes brought by his administrations are driven by technology. He explains the idea of biometric identification card, Aadhaar, and the importance of GST. He also mentions the darker side of technology, says "some people are radicalising the cyber space with the use of technology."
"India's Mars mission was less costlier than the Hollywood. We are not only aiming for excellency but we want to be the leaders in cutting age technology that will eventually help in world development," he says.
PM ends his speech with a universal call, asking all the Asian countries to unite and share their experiences with each other for a better and developed future.
PM Modi will next address the sixth World Government Summit. India is a guest of honour at the summit.
Mr. Modi met with the business leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, speaking at length about the economic opportunities in India and the series of reforms undertaken in the last 3.5 years, according to the PMO.
PM Modi also met with Vice President, PM of UAE and Ruler of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum earlier in Dubai. "Taking India story to the business leaders! PM Narendra Modi painted the vision of a new India and shared the ease of doung business in India with the business leaders from Gulf Cooperation Council countries," tweeted MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.
In addition, PM Modi also met the President Kyrgyzstan Sapar Isakov on the sidelines of the World Government Summit.
PM Modi begins his speech, says India and UAE's relationship is not that of buyer and seller but that it is a partnership. "I thank the gulf countries which provided almost 30 Lakh people from India a home like environment, away from home, here," he says.
"I want to thank His Highness Crown Price on behalf of 125 crore Indians for the grand temple which will be constructed. I believe this temple will not be only unique in terms of architecture & splendour, but will also give a message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' to people across the world,"says PM Modi.
"India's leap in World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Rankings from 142 to 100 is unprecedented. But we are not satisfied at this, we want to do better. We will do whatever it takes to make it possible," says PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the Dubai Opera House, where he unveils a replica of the first Hindu temple in the capital of the UAE. He also witnesses the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the temple.
“This will be the first stone temple to be built in Abu Dhabi off Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had earlier tweeted.
“The first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi will come up on 55,000 square metres of land and the groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday will be a historic event,” said Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri.
The temple will be hand-carved by Indian temple artisans and assembled in the UAE. It will be completed by 2020, and open to people of all religious backgrounds, reported PTI It will be the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East, said a spokesperson from the BAPS.
Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), is a socio-spiritual Hindu organisation set up in 1907 that runs more than 1,100 temples and cultural compounds around the world.
PM Modi paid tribute at the Wahat Al Karama on Sunday morning. The monument is dedicated to UAE soldiers who sacrificed their lives in service of UAE.
Here is the itinerary for Mr. Modi
0830 - Arrive Wahat Al Karama; Tour of Wahat Al Karama
0930 - Community Event
(Dubai Opera House)
1045 - Meeting with GCC business leaders
(Venue: Majlis-e-Mina, Mina A’Salam Hotel)
1120 - Meeting with Prime Minister of France
1140 - Meeting with HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai
(Venue: Jumeirah Al Naseem Hotel)
1220 - Tour of Museum of the Future
1255 - Walkthrough of Sheikh Zayed Exhibition
1320 – Inaugural Address at the World Government Summit
(Venue: Arena Hall, Madinat Jumeirah)
1530 Emplane for Muscat
1645 Arrive Muscat
Ceremonial Reception
1845 - 2000 Community Event (Venue: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex)
2030 - Meeting with H.M. Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Sultan of Oman
2145 - Banquet Dinner hosted by H.M. Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Sultan of Oman
(With inputs from PTI)
