Indians in UAE ready to welcome Modi

After Japan and the US, it may the UAE’s turn to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Emirates 24|7 can reveal.

“We are working on it,” confirmed T P Seetharam, Ambassador of India to UAE. “The (Indian) foreign minister is coming in November so I expect she will talk about when he (Modi) can come.”

He was talking at the Indian Consulate in Dubai, minutes after the 'live' telecast of the Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ campaign launch in India. “I know that he (Modi) is keen on coming here.”

Consul General of India Anurag Bhushan also shared the same sentiment. “We are in the process of working out the dates. It’s still up in the air, and he’s going to travel now. But, the process has begun.”

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If Modi plans a UAE visit, it will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister in the last 33 years. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had visited the UAE in 1981.

Last year, former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was scheduled to visit the UAE, but had to cancel it due to “logistics and scheduling” issues.

Many Indian dignitaries in the UAE welcomed the news.

Kamal Vachani, regional director of Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) for the UAE and Middle East, expressed great expectations from Modi’s visit. “It will boost trade, and will work as a positive sign for both countries (India and the UAE) and further enhance our bilateral ties,” he told this website.

Ram Buxani, President of ITL-Cosmos group, too welcomed the plan. “It is the wise thing to consider his visit without any delay because India’s stake in the UAE is too big to be neglected.”

He remembers welcoming Indira Gandhi during her UAE visit. “Thirty-three years is too long a gap.”

He added that “a lot can be achieved for both the sides, and both stand to gain.”

The Indian community in the UAE is optimistic about Modi’s UAE visit.

Mahabir Singhal, director and CEO of Mars Consultancy Services in Dubai, explained why the visit was important.

“Dubai has grown tremendously over the last 20 years, and is one of the biggest importers of Indian products. The trade has grown to $40 billion. Also, I think UAE is one of the largest employers of Indian labour. So, the reasons are plenty.”

Mahesh Shahdadpuri, CEO and Managing Director of TASC employee outsourcing company, said: “It will be great. I think UAE is second largest trading partner for India. It’s home to one of the largest Indian communities. And, these are powerful reasons. Also, Dubai has become a prominent global trading, logistic, high-profile tourist hub.”

Prasanna Thakkar, owner of events management company – Ideas and Events, said: “Yes, we’d like for Mr Modi to visit the UAE. There’s a big business link between UAE and India. Though we’ve come down a few notches as the trading partner, we’d like to be back on the top again. His coming here would definitely add value to the business.”

Siddartha Sengupta, Regional Head, Middle East West Asia North Africa at of State Bank of India, said: “Given the strong trading connect it would be great to have the PM here.”

Jacob Ninan, head of GCC region for Axis Bank, said: “What is missing in the UAE-India relation is perhaps a top level exchange will firm up the trade relations.”

Shivkumar, CEO of Esskay Logistics, said: “Modi’s visit will definitely help the Indian diaspora, and also the relations with GCC countries.”

Modi has launched the ‘Make in India’ initiative in a bid to increase investment and employment in the country. The Prime Minister titled the campaign “the step of a lion”.

Other important visits from India include visits of President Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed in 1976; President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2003, and President Pratibha Devisingh Patil in 2010.

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