Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today as the two sides signed five agreements including a historic pact awarding a consortium of Indian oil companies a 10 per cent stake in offshore oil concession.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on the second leg of his three-nation tour, was received by Mohammed Bin Zayed and other members of the Royal family at the airport. The two leaders hugged each other and exchanged pleasantries.
Also Read: Modi in Palestine: Indian PM conferred 'Grand Collar of the State of Palestine'
As it happened on Saturday:
10:15 pm: 5 government-to-government MoUs signed between India and UAE in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
6:50 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Abu Dhabi
# We hope for peace & stability in Palestine, we believe a permanent solution is possible with dialogue. Only diplomacy & farsightedness can set free from violence & baggage of the past. We know it is not easy but we need to keep trying as a lot is at stake: PM Modi
# I have assured President Abbas that India is bound by a promise to take care of Palestinian people's interests. India hopes that soon Palestine will come a free country in a peaceful manner: PM Modi in Palestine
4:21 pm: I am happy to announce that we will double the exchange of students from this year taking it from 50 to 100: PM Narendra Modi
4:20 pm: India is aiding construction of an Institute of Diplomacy in Palestine. I am happy that we are moving forward with our developmental corporation forward during this visit: PM Modi
4:15 pm: People of Palestine have continuously shown exemplary courage in extremely tough times, in spite of the fact that there was an unstable environment. The way you moved forward in such a situation is praiseworthy, we appreciate it: PM Modi
4:11 pm: This is an honour for India and a symbol of Palestine's friendship. I thank you on behalf of all Indians for this: PM Modi on the Grand Collar of the state of Palestine conferred on him.
# Here I would like to assert our commitment to political action & negotiations as means of achieving our national goals to freedom & independence in accordance with the two states' relation along the lines of 1967: President Mahmoud Abbas
# We have said & will say we are ready to engage in negotiations. We rely on India's role as an international force & its role in the non-alignment movement & in the intn'l fora, in a way that is conducive to desired peace in our region: President Abbas on Israel-Palestine relations
