Trust between India and UAE will last forever

NA170815-SK-MODIIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishing to the Indian during the event Marhaba Namo at Dubai Cricket Stadium on Monday. 17 August, 2015. Photo by Shihab

It was just what 50,000 Indian expats were expecting from their Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who rounded off his UAE visit with a flourish at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. He thanked the UAE and its leaders for their diplomatic support, praised the Indian diaspora for their grit, while spelling out his tough stance against terrorism.
"When India catches a cold, Indians in Dubai sneeze. Indians, specifically in the Gulf region, have always helped in all possible ways," he said.
He spoke out against terrorism, India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and the state of the world economy.
Modi said the UAE's commitment for a $75 billion investment in India shows the faith UAE has in India's future and its potential. "You don't give a penny to a person you don't trust. India has been committed $75 billion."
Modi announced a number of initiatives for the working class expats in the UAE and promised quick resolutions to their issues. He also announced legal help for those in jails with small debts.
"We will reach out to our Indian brothers and sisters and build counsellor camps."
Addressing the emigration issue raised by Khaleej Times last week, Modi said that the technical glitches with the system would be resolved within 30 days.
An online portal named Madad (Help) for Non-Resident Indians to air their grievances will be launched as part of the new initiative.
In a speech that was extempore, emotional and direct, Modi thanked Indians not only for serving the UAE very well, but for standing with India in every hour of crises, be it the foreign exchange crisis, or sanctions following the nuclear test in the 1990s.
He even tried his hand at humour and had the crowd rolling with laughter when he greeted them in Malayalam.
Turning serious, he said: "Today, I am also grateful to the UAE Rulers for supporting India's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council."
Modi said that India is developing at a fast pace among large economies. "India is a nation of possibilities and opportunities. It is such a country that has 65 per cent population of less than 35 years. It is a young country, full of vitality and youthfulness."
Referring to the Bangkok blast on Monday, he said that the world is plagued by terrorism and the world should fight it together.
Some expats said his speech was repetitive but agreed that it touched an emotional chord.
"He repeated many points we already know. But it's good that he believes in moving together forward. Not just as Indians, but together with all our neighbour countries," said a Dubai resident Rajai Katarja.
R J Vicy, another resident said, "It was an amazing speech, out of this world. Makes me want to go back to India maybe. He knows how to win the hearts of Indians."
(Reported by Dhanusha Gokulan, Bernd Debusmann and Suneeti Ahuja)
reporters@khaleejtimes.com