One trillion dollar investment possible in India”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off day two of his UAE trip by visiting Masdar City, a hub of cleantech and S&T innovation. He also met with a delegation of investors immediately after Masdar.

In the evening, all roads in Dubai will lead to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium where 50,000 Indian expatriates have registered for ‘Marhaba Namo’ — a grand public reception held for visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The reception, which is being touted as another Madison Square-like event, is being hailed as unprecedented in the history of the UAE where for the first time a visiting head of state has been allowed a reception on this scale. The cultural programme features 35 international artistes who have been flown down especially for the event.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and signed in the visitor’s book, saying, “It (the mosque) will serve to remind generations about the extraordinary vision and leadership of the president of UAE, his highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan AL Nahyan.”

He also interacted with Indian workers at the ICAD Residential Labour Camp, which houses thousands of migrant labourers from the Indian subcontinent.

Follow live updates of the Prime Minister’s visit here:

August 17, 2015

11.50 a.m: Country has got a decisive and stable government. We need to erase the deficit of 34 years: PM

11.48 a.m.: Today there is a immediate possibility of one trillion dollars of investment in India, yes one trillion dollars: PM

11.47 a.m.: “In the agriculture sector we need cold storage network and warehousing network where UAE businesses have another advantage.”

11.46 a.m.: Infrastructure development and real estate offer tremendous opportunities for UAE businesses in India. I will send my Commerce Minister to try and find solutions to the problems faced by some UAE investors: PM

11.45 a.m.: We have got legacy problems; Priority to kickstart things that were stalled due to indecisiveness, lethargy of past governments: PM.

11.44. a.m.: “India has never tapped the potential of tourism, there is a lot of possibility in hospitality industry.”

11.42 a.m.: We want to construct 50 million low cost houses in 7 years in India, Prime Minister Modi tells investors.

11.40 a.m.: India’s growth potential and UAE’s strength together can make this Asia’s century: PM.

11.35 a.m: We want technology, speed and quality construction when it comes to housing. Low cost housing is very important for us, says the Prime Minister.

11.30 a.m.: I was told about some problems being faced…want to assure we are solving these problems: PM

11.25 a.m: It is now commonly believed that India is one of the fastest growing economies. All leading institutions like IMF, World Bank and Moody’s agree that India is world’s fastest growing economy. There are several opportunities of development in India: PM

11.15 a.m: “I feel India is a land of many opportunities. 125 crore people of India are not a market but they are a source of great strength.”

11.10 a.m.: PM Modi addresses the investors, saying, “There are 700 flights btw India & U.A.E but it took 34 years for an Indian PM to visit. I promise this will not happen again.”

11.00 a.m.: PM Modi meets a delegation of investors.The agenda is to promote India as an investment destination.

10.40 a.m.: PM digitally signs in his message in the visitors’ book at Masdar.

‘Science is life’ wrote PM @narendramodi at Masdar City. pic.twitter.com/cYI5PMRWW3

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 17, 2015
10.31 a.m.: PM Modi spends his morning at Masdar, taking a tour of the city. Masdar is the hub of cleantech and S&T innovation, says MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup. The Prime Minister discussed urban development and next generation urban spaces at Masdar. Read more.

Watch PM Modi’s visit to Masdar City.

10.15 a.m.: The Prime Minister makes a statement with his visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Nistula Hebbar writes. Read more.

August 16, 2015

10:43 p.m.: A long wait for the Indian community ends. On the occasion of PM’s visit, UAE Govt decides to allot land for building a temple in Abu Dhabi: MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup

9.00 p.m.: PM Narendra Modi interacts with Indian workers, at ICAD Residential City (Abu Dhabi).