Narendra Modi departed the UAE on Friday following the conclusion of his official visit, marking another step in the deepening strategic and economic partnership between India and the UAE.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally bid farewell to Prime Minister Modi upon his departure, underscoring the close diplomatic ties between the two nations.
In a ceremonial gesture marking the conclusion of the visit, a formation of UAE military aircraft escorted the Indian Prime Minister’s plane as it exited UAE airspace. Officials said the squadron leader sought permission to accompany the aircraft at departure as part of official protocol.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, energy, defence, and strategic sectors, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to expanding economic collaboration.
Speaking to ANI, LuLu Group International Chairman and Managing Director M. A. Yusuff Ali said the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has played a major role in accelerating trade and investment activity between India and the UAE.
“After signing the CEPA, a lot of business people, exporters, and importers have been using the UAE as a hub. This is a great initiative from both governments,” Yusuff Ali told ANI.
He also highlighted reforms introduced under Prime Minister Modi’s administration that have encouraged overseas Indians to invest in India.
“After Prime Minister Modi took charge, he first changed the law. Now, non-resident Indian investment is treated as domestic investment. That’s a great initiative. So as an NRI, I’m very happy to invest in India,” he said.
Yusuff Ali further revealed LuLu Group’s plans to significantly expand its footprint in India, including the construction of what he described as the country’s largest shopping mall in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
“We are constructing India’s biggest shopping mall in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where I was brought up and graduated, and also in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, and another two places which we are finalizing and we’ll declare,” he said.
The LuLu Group chief added that the company currently employs around 18,000 people in India and expects to increase that number to nearly 25,000 within the year.
The UAE and India have considerably strengthened bilateral ties in recent years through expanding trade volumes, strategic investment cooperation, and the CEPA agreement, positioning the UAE as one of India’s most significant economic and diplomatic partners globally.
