Abu Dhabi: Ahead of his talks with the leadership of Emirates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Gulf region is very important as far as economic, energy and security interests of India are concerned.
Simultaneously, he wanted to see the UAE as the foremost partner in trade and countering terrorism.
Both India and UAE have been facing a range of common security as well as strategic concerns in the region, including terrorism and extremism.
The prime Minister said he is keen to establish a strategic partnership, particularly in the security, energy and investment sectors, with UAE which has got a fastest growing economy.
Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit UAE within a time frame of 34 years, will have talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and Prime Minister of UAE, a day after his arrival in the nation.
Modi said in an interview to Khaleej Times newspaper that both India and UAE have a range of common security and strategic concerns in the region, including terrorism and extremism and hence, both the countries need to be a top priority for each other.
He has also pointed out that India cannot ignore the Gulf region, as the country is very important with respect to India’s economic, energy and security interests.
Modi said that he would like to see a real comprehensive strategic association between the two countries.

Video on Prime Minister’s arrival in UAE