PM Modi To Address Indian Diaspora From ‘Ahlan Modi’ Stage In UAE, Inaugurate Abu Dhabi’s First Hindu Temple

Ahead of the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the Indian diaspora in the United Arab Emirates from the capital city. PM Modi will address the Indian diaspora from the stage of ‘Ahlan Modi’, an event organised to welcome and honour him.

PM Modi, during his two-day visit to the UAE, will also hold a bilateral meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE. PM Modi said his visit will “deepen India’s bilateral relations” with UAE.

Over the next two days, I will be visiting UAE and Qatar to attend various programmes, which will deepen India’s bilateral relations with these nations.

My visit to UAE will be my seventh since assuming office, indicating the priority we attach to strong India-UAE friendship. I…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2024

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi departs for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This is PM Modi’s seventh visit to the UAE since 2015 and the third in the last eight months. pic.twitter.com/2fgNf6HQvt

— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2024

Nearly 3.5 million Indians in UAE are waiting to welcome PM Modi as rehearsals for ‘Ahlan Modi’, a community event, continued in full swing despite inclement weather. The ‘Ahlan Modi’ will be held at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Here are the top points on PM Modi’s two-day UAE visit:

• PM Modi will meet President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He will also meet Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister of UAE.
• He will then address the Indian diaspora from the ‘Ahlan Modi’ (Arabic for ‘Welcome Modi’) stage. More than 65,000 registrations were recorded for the event.
• On the eve of the event, over 2,500 performers and volunteers reached the Zayed stadium to participate in rehearsals and volunteer briefings.
• Besides Prime Minister Modi addressing the Indian diaspora at ‘Ahlan Modi’, there will be an exhibition featuring 700 cultural artistes who will showcase the extensive diversity of Indian arts. More than 150 Indian communities will take part in the event, highlighting India’s regional diversity.
• However, ahead of the event, the region saw adverse weather conditions, causing traffic snarls and waterlogging across the UAE. Head of communications for ‘Ahlan Modi’ Nishi Singh told ANI that the inclement weather hasn’t dampened the spirits of the Indian diaspora in the UAE. Singh said, “It is clear that the weather is not going to come in the way of the unique community-driven summit to celebrate Indo-UAE friendship grandly and give a resounding welcome to PM.”
• President of the Indian People Forum and leader of the ‘Ahlan Modi’ initiative Jitendra Vaidya was also excited about the event. He said: “Our gates are yet to open, but people are already standing at each gate of this stadium. I can say this with guarantee that whenever people will remember a public event of PM Modi outside the country, ‘Ahlan Modi’ will be remembered as a landmark event. The programs will start here around 12 noon (local time). Over 800 participants will perform here today. When we were planning the ‘Ahlan Modi’ event, we thought of bringing celebrities here but when PM Modi got to know this he said ‘Your people are celebrities’…”
• During the trip, PM Modi will inaugurate the BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple, on Wednesday and will deliver a keynote address at the World Government Summit 2004 as the Guest of Honour.