PM Modi conferred with 'Order of Zayed', UAE's highest civilian-honor

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.

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.

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.

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".