File photo of PM Narendra Modi.
A special painting dedicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother has been presented to
him by a Dubai-based Indian painter.
Akbar Saheb, who hails from Karnataka, wanted to hold an exhibition on the life and times of PM Modi in the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi during his two-day visit to the Gulf country.
But Embassy turned down his request, saying "We would be happy to hold his exhibition but it is not feasible to do so during Prime Minister Modi's visit."
Later Indian Ambassador T P Seetharam fixed a meeting for him to meet Modi on August 17.
"When I read about Akbar Saheb's painting, Mother blessings, dedicated to my Mother, I was really keen to meet him. I got to do so today," PM Modi tweeted.
"I am thankful to Akbar Saheb for this very touching gesture. It was great meeting him," PM Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the UAE in 34 years, said.
Over the years, Mr Saheb has done over 700 paintings, most of which are influenced by the UAE and its leaders. Best among them, however, remains a series of 38 paintings celebrating 38 years of the late President Shaikh Zayed's rule, called 'Visions'.
PM Modi, former US President George W Bush and Barack Obama remain the only other world leaders who have featured in the paintings of Mr Saheb.