Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with
the ‘Order of Zayed’, the UAE’s highest civilian award, on Saturday as
a mark of appreciation for his efforts to boost bilateral ties between
the two nations.
The award has
earlier been bestowed on several world leaders, including Russian
President Vladimir Putin, Queen Elizabeth II and Chinese President Xi
Jinping.
“The award in the name of
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE,
acquires special significance as it was awarded to Prime Minister Modi
in the year of the birth centenary of Sheikh Zayed,” Ministry of
External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement ahead of his visit.
India
and the UAE enjoy warm, close and multi-faceted relations underpinned
by cultural, religious and economic linkages which, during the prime
minister’s previous visit to the UAE in August 2015, stood elevated to a
comprehensive strategic partnership, it said.
The UAE in April had announced to confer the country’s highest award on Modi.
In
a tweet in April, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, said, “We have historical and comprehensive strategic ties with
India, reinforced by the pivotal role of my dear friend, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, who gave these relations a big boost.”
With
an annual bilateral trade of about USD 60 billion, the UAE is India’s
third-largest trade partner. It is also the fourth-largest exporter of
crude oil for India.
“A
3.3 million-strong vibrant Indian community in the UAE nourishes the
vibrant people-to-people contacts between our two friendly countries,”
the MEA said, adding that Modi’s visit would further strengthen the
friendly bilateral ties. PTI
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