After a one-year delay owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, Dubai Thursday kicked off its USD 7 billion Expo 2020. This year's Expo 2020 is relying heavily on technology, rather than on physical wonders.

Dubai Expo 2020 showcases mesmerising high-tech artworks

Plans are afoot for connectivity from the Mediterranean to India via the Gulf. The plans involve countries like Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia and India.

The foreign ministers of India, Israeli, Egyptian, Cyprus, Greece and others are expected to meet in Dubai at the 12th edition of the Sir Bani Yas Forum to further discuss the plan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/infra-projects-buddha-link-rights-of-tamils-dominate-shringlas-sri-lanka-visit-418297">Infra projects, Buddha link, rights of Tamils dominate Shringla's Sri Lanka visit</a>

The forum will meet from 12th to 14th November.

WION has learnt that the project focuses on building a corridor that connects India to the Gulf and West Asia to the Eastern Mediterranean, which will link the region to Europe and be a game-changer.

The foreign ministers' face-to-face meeting is expected to eliminate the roadblocks in this&nbsp;connectivity project, which currently is in the preliminary stages.

It is important to understand that three key countries in West Asia; Saudi Arabia, Israel and UAE who will also be a part of the discussion of the project, already have a close relationship with New Delhi.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-wants-trade-security-pact-with-india-says-foreign-secretary-liz-truss-417979">UK wants trade, security pact with India, says Foreign Secretary Liz Truss</a>

Several trilateral projects are also underway between India, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;

The Abraham Accords of 2020, saw the normalisation of ties between Israel and UAE and since then both sides have increased engagements with each other including the presence of the Israel pavilion at the ongoing Dubai Expo.

India has been taking a lead in several connectivity initiatives, from the Chabahar port project in Iran that links it to Central Asia and beyond; to the Kaladan Multimodal project in the east that connects it to ASEAN countries.&nbsp;

Chabahar is also key to the International north-south transport corridor connecting Mumbai to Moscow.

Plans are afoot for connectivity from the Mediterranean to India via the Gulf. The plans involve countries like Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia and India.

Plans are afoot for connectivity from the Mediterranean to India via the Gulf. The plans involve countries like Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia and India. The foreign ministers of India, Israeli, Egyptian, Cyprus, Greece and others are expected to meet in Dubai at the 12th edition of the Sir Bani Yas Forum to further discuss the plan. Also read | Infra projects, Buddha link, rights of Tamils dominate Shringla's Sri Lanka visit The forum will meet from 12th to 14th November. WION has learnt that the project focuses on building a corridor that connects India to the Gulf and West Asia to the Eastern Mediterranean, which will link the region to Europe and be a game-changer. The foreign ministers' face-to-face meeting is expected to eliminate the roadblocks in this connectivity project, which currently is in the preliminary stages. It is important to understand that three key countries in West Asia; Saudi Arabia, Israel and UAE who will also be a part of the discussion of the project, already have a close relationship with New Delhi. Also read | UK wants trade, security pact with India, says Foreign Secretary Liz Truss Several trilateral projects are also underway between India, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates. The Abraham Accords of 2020, saw the normalisation of ties between Israel and UAE and since then both sides have increased engagements with each other including the presence of the Israel pavilion at the ongoing Dubai Expo. India has been taking a lead in several connectivity initiatives, from the Chabahar port project in Iran that links it to Central Asia and beyond; to the Kaladan Multimodal project in the east that connects it to ASEAN countries. Chabahar is also key to the International north-south transport corridor connecting Mumbai to Moscow.

Plans afoot for connectivity from Mediterranean to India via Gulf

India's Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Dubai Expo 2020 will be a unique opportunity to showcase India's potential during a conversation with Zee News editor Sudhir Chaudhary in Dubai.

India's Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Dubai Expo 2020 will be a unique opportunity to showcase India's potential during a conversation with Zee News editor Sudhir Chaudhary in Dubai. The minister said that India is a leader today in the field of energy and the environment. He also added that the world knows about a country's potential. Goyal added that the world feels that they can safely give work to India without any worry. 'India's immense power' "The Dubai Expo 2020 will showcase India's immense power and will display the country's potential through the Indian pavilion at the expo. It will symbolise India's growing power. India is capable of meeting the needs of the world. The pavilion, which will remain even after the expo, will continue to showcase to world our country's immense potential," said Goyal. Goyal explained, "The image of India has changed under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. Be it the field of technology or space, the world will see a new image of India. India is a leader today in the field of energy, environment. The world knows about our potential. India's time has come. The world has faith in India." ALSO READ | Australia recognises Covishield vaccine: Looks forward to welcome Indian students Challenges and opportunities "India has dealt well with several challenges that she had to face in the corona era. We have made digital expansion, we strengthened our healthcare. But India took several big steps before COVID, which became a boon in these tough times," said Goyal. He further added, "India connected people to the bank, brought electricity to large number of houses, those in need were provided with the gas stove, toilets were built. Imagine what would have happened if these facilities were not in place when COVID had hit! Also India has proven that it can be self-reliant when it came to vaccine. We are planning to make 30 crores vaccine this month. The world is watching and realising that partnership with India is necessary." Challenges of the supply chain "India's entrepreneurs and youth are full of confidence. India has lived up to the expectations even in the COVID period. We fulfilled every contract in the world. The world feels that they can safely give work to India and be free of worry. India understands and takes responsibility," the minister further said. Achieving the target of 5 trillion economy Goyal said, "People used to laugh when the Prime Minister used to make many promises earlier. When the PM talked about toilets in every house, people laughed. When the Prime Minister said that everyone will have a bank account, then people would laugh. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered on his promises. The PM aims big and accomplishes things."

Exclusive: Dubai Expo 2020 will showcase India's potential to the world, says Piyush Goyal

Israel has unveiled a pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai. It comes after the UAE signed a deal to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020.

Israel unveils pavilion at Dubai's Expo 2020

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday landed in Dubai for a two-day visit to hold bilateral talks with UAE leadership "on developing and strengthening relations between [the] two friendly countries".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-returns-1-billion-of-saudi-arabias-soft-loan-officials-say-350506" hreflang="en">Pakistan returns $1 billion of Saudi Arabia's soft loan, officials say</a>

UAE Vice President and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum hosted Qureshi to hold talks.&nbsp;

UAE Embassy in Pakistan took to Twitter and said: "H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, receives H.E Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and holds bilateral talks on developing and strengthening relations between two friendly countries".&nbsp;

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H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recives H.E Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and holds bilateral talks on developing and strengthening relations between two friendly countries <a href="https://t.co/zhcv5tgDCo">pic.twitter.com/zhcv5tgDCo</a>
— UAE Embassy PK (@uaeembassyisb) <a href="https://twitter.com/uaeembassyisb/status/1339531084460113923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Later today, Qureshi took to Twitter and said "issues of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen bilateral ties, including encouragement of UAE business community to invest in Pakistan and the welfare of our diaspora in UAE" were discussed during the meeting.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pm-imran-khan-in-spotlight-as-pakistan-passes-new-rape-law-350282" hreflang="en">PM Imran Khan in spotlight as Pakistan passes new rape law</a>

Qureshi went on to add that that Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai will be a "memento of Pakistan-UAE friendship".

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The Pakistan Pavilion at <a href="https://twitter.com/expo2020dubai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@expo2020dubai</a> next year will be a memento of Pakistan-UAE friendship and we wish UAE a resounding success. 🇵🇰 🇦🇪
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/SMQureshiPTI/status/1339546708146085888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The talks come weeks after UAE temporarily suspended the issuance of visit visas to a dozen countries, including Pakistan, until further notice. However, Pakistan officially believes that the UAE authorities decided due to the second wave of Covid-19.

According to Dawn's report, Foreign Minister Qureshi is expected to take up the issue of suspension of visas with the UAE authorities.&nbsp;

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday landed in Dubai for a two-day visit to hold bilateral talks with UAE leadership "on developing and strengthening relations between [the] two friendly countries".

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday landed in Dubai for a two-day visit to hold bilateral talks with UAE leadership "on developing and strengthening relations between [the] two friendly countries". Also read: Pakistan returns $1 billion of Saudi Arabia's soft loan, officials say UAE Vice President and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum hosted Qureshi to hold talks. UAE Embassy in Pakistan took to Twitter and said: "H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, receives H.E Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and holds bilateral talks on developing and strengthening relations between two friendly countries". H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recives H.E Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and holds bilateral talks on developing and strengthening relations between two friendly countries pic.twitter.com/zhcv5tgDCo — UAE Embassy PK (@uaeembassyisb) December 17, 2020 × Later today, Qureshi took to Twitter and said "issues of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen bilateral ties, including encouragement of UAE business community to invest in Pakistan and the welfare of our diaspora in UAE" were discussed during the meeting. Also read: PM Imran Khan in spotlight as Pakistan passes new rape law Qureshi went on to add that that Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai will be a "memento of Pakistan-UAE friendship". The Pakistan Pavilion at @expo2020dubai next year will be a memento of Pakistan-UAE friendship and we wish UAE a resounding success. 🇵🇰 🇦🇪 — Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) December 17, 2020 × The talks come weeks after UAE temporarily suspended the issuance of visit visas to a dozen countries, including Pakistan, until further notice. However, Pakistan officially believes that the UAE authorities decided due to the second wave of Covid-19. According to Dawn's report, Foreign Minister Qureshi is expected to take up the issue of suspension of visas with the UAE authorities.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi arrives in Dubai for two-day visit

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Dubai Expo 2020 showcases mesmerising high-tech artworks

Plans afoot for connectivity from Mediterranean to India via Gulf

Exclusive: Dubai Expo 2020 will showcase India's potential to the world, says Piyush Goyal

Israel unveils pavilion at Dubai's Expo 2020

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi arrives in Dubai for two-day visit