PM Modi with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. (Press Trust of India photo)
In the UAE to hold talks on enhancing cooperation in trade and security, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today began his two-day visit to the Gulf nation by visiting an iconic mosque in Abu Dhabi and later interacted with Indian workers. (
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"This magnificent place of worship strikes you with its size and beauty. It brings together exquisite skills and creations from around the world, and serves as a fine example of human achievements and unity," the PM wrote in the visitors book at the
Sheikh Zayed mosque, the third largest in the world.
The PM also posed for a selfie at the mosque, which is constructed with marble brought in from all across the globe, including from India.
PM Modi then visited a residential camp that is home to some 28,000 Indians workers, where he interacted with nearly 300 of them.
Mr Modi, the first Indian PM to visit the UAE in 34 years, was received by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at the airport, in a departure from protocol.
Earlier, the PM had described the Gulf country as a "mini-India" close to his heart.
About 2.6 million Indians live in the UAE. "India and UAE have everything to be a top priority for each other. This is the way I look at the UAE. The Gulf region is vital for India's economic, energy and security interests," said PM Modi in an interview to Dubai-based newspaper Khaleej Times.
Improving trade and investment ties between the two nations is high on the PM's agenda and his trip is packed with business meetings. Trade with the UAE is pegged at $60 billion a year, down from 2013 but still third highest after trade with the US and China.
UAE's concern over the spread of Islamic State in the region is also expected to feature in talks.
Tomorrow, PM Modi will go to the Dubai Cricket Stadium, where he will address about 50,000 Indians.