Dubai: It is the final day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to the UAE. The PM is scheduled to visit Mazdar high tech city on Monday before holding talks with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Thereafter, he will leave for Dubai to meet his UAE counterpart Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Modi is likely to bring up the issue of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in the bilateral talks in UAE on Monday. According to sources, the PM Modi may request for sharing of details on the underworld don in order to prosecute him for terror activities in India. He is also likely to push for building consensus on a united front against terror.
Before returning to India, Modi will address the Indian diaspora at the Dubai cricket stadium. The Indian community in the UAE is eagerly waiting to hear and cheer Modi at a Madison Square-like event that is expected to draw over 50,000 people.
Modi is the first Indian premier to visit the oil-rich Arab nation in 34 years. He will be accorded a rousing welcome by the community members at the reception to be held at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai Sports City. About 50,000 Indians have registered for Modi’s public reception.
Several Indians living in Ajman, Umm Al Quwaiin and Ras Al Khaimah said that they are driving to Dubai to attend the event despite it being a working day. “He is the pride of our nation,” Amit Soni, a resident of Dubai said.
Indian consul general Anurag Bhushan hoped that Modi’s visit would be truly memorable. “I hope everyone will come with the national flag and celebrate in the spirit of our brother-hood,” he said. Bhushan praised the efforts of the members of the Indian community in Dubai who are putting a lot of effort to make the event successful.
The Indian Consulate has planned a cultural show to welcome Modi during the reception.
Although the stadium has an expanded capacity of 30,000, the authorities have made arrangements to accommodate more by covering the ground. Huge television screens have been installed outside the stadium for those who would not be able to go inside.
The organisers have made elaborate arrangements to cool the stadium and the air-conditioning system will be switched on a day before to ensure the place is sufficiently cool on the day of the event, the report said.
