Indian Embassy says no to painting exhibition during PM Narendra Modi's UAE visit

ABU DHABI: Indian Embassy has turned down a request by a Dubai-based Indian painter to hold an exhibition on the life and times of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the mission here during his two-day visit to the UAE.

"We would be happy to hold his exhibition but it is not feasible to do so during Prime Minister Modi's visit. Therefore, the request was turned down," Indian Ambassador to UAE T P Seetharam told PTI.

Painter Akbar Saheb had requested the Indian mission to hold a special exhibition for Modi during his historic visit to the Gulf country.

According to reports, Saheb, who hails from Karnataka, had also made a special painting for Modi.

Seetharam said that he would entertain Saheb's request anytime after the Prime Minister's visit.

Over the years, Saheb has done over 700 paintings, most of which are influenced by the UAE and its leaders. Best among them, however, remains a series of 38 paintings celebrating 38 years of the late President Shaikh Zayed's rule, called 'Visions'.

Modi, former US President George W Bush and incumbent Barack Obama remain the only other world leaders who have featured in the paintings of Saheb.