Dubai, March 22: Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum will hold official talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President APJ Abdul Kalam during his official visit to India starting on Monday, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE said.

CM Bhandari said Sheikh Mohammad will be given a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapathi Bhavan and meet President APJ Abdul Kalam.

He will also visit the Gandhi Samadhi to lay a wreath and then attend a reception hosted by the Prime Minister.

Sheikh Mohammed will also address a business lunch hosted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of Indian Industry.

His engagement also includes a meeting with Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

During his visit, a clutch of agreements would be signed including one on double taxation avoidance and abolition of visa for diplomatic and official passport holders.

Sheikh Mohammed will be accompanied by seven Cabinet ministers in addition to a large business and media delegation clearly demonstrating the multi-faceted partnership the two countries are pursuing, Mr Bhandari informed.

Under discussion between the two countries are agreements on customs cooperation, exchange of prisoners in the two countries (an extradition agreement already exists) and an agreement on combating international terrorism, money laundering and other crimes.

A meeting between the pre-visit delegation of the UAE and its Indian counterpart will be held in New Delhi today.

The largest number of companies registered in the UAE are from India. IT, telecom, pharma, bio-technology, nanotechnology, manufacturing for regional markets and services sector like health, education and tourism have a great potential for joint collaborations on both sides, Mr Bhandari said.

Sheikh Mohammed last visited Delhi and Mumbai in 1974 as the Defence Minister of the UAE accompanying his father, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

UNI