PM Modi conferred with 'Order of Zayed', UAE's highest civilian-honor
What's the story
PM Narendra Modi, who is in the UAE as part of a three-nation tour, was honored with the Gulf nation's highest civilian award on Saturday. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, conferred him with the "Order of Zayed". Modi is on a three-nation tour to France, UAE, and Bahrain. He arrived in Abu Dhabi from Paris on Friday evening. Here's more.
Details
Deepening economic relations also on the agenda: PM Modi
In the UAE, PM Modi is expected to discuss a range of bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince. "Deepening economic relations will also be on the agenda during this visit," he tweeted. He is also expected to launch the RuPay Card in the UAE to expand the cashless transactions network abroad.
Twitter Post
Here's what PM Modi tweeted after reaching Abi Dhabi
Reached Abu Dhabi.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 23, 2019
Looking forward to holding talks with His Highness Crown Prince @MohamedBinZayed and discussing the full range of friendship between India and UAE.
Deepening economic relations will also be on the agenda during this visit. pic.twitter.com/gpFmCeulj6
Bahrain visit
PM Modi will visit Bahrain after UAE
After the UAE, PM Modi will next visit Bahrain and hold talks with King Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Gulf nation. He will also attend a special ceremony to mark the re-development of Lord Shreenathji's temple, the oldest in the Gulf region. He will also interact with the Indian diaspora in Bahrain.
France
To return to France on Sunday for G7 summit meetings
PM Modi will return to France on Sunday to attend the G7 Summit meetings. Earlier on Friday, before leaving for the UAE, he met with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and discussed matters of bilateral and mutual interests to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership. He also met UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and addressed the Indian diaspora at the UNESCO headquarters.
Memorial
PM Modi unveiled memorial for victims of Air India crashes
In France, PM Modi also inaugurated a memorial at Nid d'Aigle, at the foot of the Mont Blanc mountain, in the honor of the victims of two Air India crashes that took place in 1950 and 1966. Many Indians were also killed in these two airplane crashes, including Homi Jehangir Bhabha, who is known as the "Father of Indian nuclear program".