Narendra Modi will arrive in the country late on Friday

Narendra Modi hailed the ever-closer relationship between the UAE and India on the eve of his third visit to the country in four years.

The Indian leader will arrive in the country late on Friday. On Saturday he will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

And later at the Presidential Palace, he will be bestowed with the prestigious Order of Zayed, the country’s highest civilian honour.

Mr Modi said he will also promote Rupay, a homegrown Indian card payment scheme and will release a stamp to commemorate the 150th birthday of Indian independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi.

Ahead of Mr Modi’s arrival, we look back at the Indian prime minister’s official visits to the Emirates in 2015 and 2018.

The National