India’s relations with the UAE was much more than that of a buyer and a seller, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the members of the Indian community at the Dubai Opera House.

Modi, who was on two-day visit to the UAE, hailed the New Delhi’s strengthening relations with the Gulf countries as “deep, broad and vibrant.”

The Indian prime minister said his government was trying to bring India to a global benchmark. “Today, be it the UAE or other Gulf nations, our relation with them is not just that of a buyer and a seller. It has become much more,” Modi reportedly said.

While assuring the Indian community that his government will work to bring to reality their dreams, Modi said, “India’s leap in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Rankings from 142 to 100 is unprecedented. But we are not satisfied at this, we want to do better. We will do whatever it takes to make it possible.”

Modi hailed his government’s bold decisions like demonetisation and implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST). “GST had been languishing for seven years, but now it is a reality,” PTI quoted him as saying in his nearly 20-minute speech.

Taking a dig at his detractors, Modi said even the poor people agree with the fact that demonetisation was a right move. But some people lost their sleep and they are still mourning, he added.

Modi thanked the UAE which provided almost 30 lakh people from India a home like environment, away from home.