The UAE Thursday announced it will honour Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the prestigious Zayed Medal for playing a “pivotal role” in giving a “big boost” to the bilateral strategic ties.
President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan madethe announcement to confer the Prime Minister with the award, the highestdecoration awarded to kings, presidents and heads of states.
“We have historical and comprehensive strategic tieswith India, reinforced by the pivotal role of my dear friend, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, who gave these relations a big boost. In appreciation of hisefforts, the UAE President grants him the Zayed Medal,” Crown Prince ofAbu Dhabi Mohamed Bin Zayed tweeted.
The Crown Prince, who is also the Deputy Supreme Commanderof the UAE Armed Forces, said Modi played a key role in enhancing bilateralties to the level of comprehensive strategic relations.
“By granting our dear friend the Indian Prime Ministerthe Zayed Medal, we express our appreciation for his role and efforts indeveloping friendly relations and extending bridges of cooperation between theUAE and the Republic of India in various fields,” he said.
The award comes in appreciation of Modi’s role inconsolidating the long-standing friendship and joint strategic cooperationbetween the two countries, the Khaleej Times reported.
“I am extremely happy to welcome the announcement ofOrder of Zayed for a great son of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi by HisHighness Mohamed Bin Zayed,” External Affairs Minister Sushma Swarajtweeted.
She said the prestigious award was bestowed on Modi inrecognition of his “stellar role” in ushering in a new era ofstrategic partnership with the UAE and the “best ever” relations withthe Islamic world.
“On behalf of the people of India, I express our deepsense of gratitude to His Highness the President, His Highness the Crown Princeof UAE for this great honour. With this, you have honoured India and the peopleof India,” Swaraj said.
Modi visited the UAE for the second time as Prime Ministerin February last year and held wide-ranging talks with the Crown Prince.
After their talks, the two sides signed five agreementsrelated to energy sector, railways, manpower and financial services. The PrimeMinister’s first visit to the UAE took place in August 2015.
In February, the Crown Prince telephoned Modi and hisPakistani counterpart Imran Khan as part of his efforts to de-escalate Indo-Paktensions in the wake of the Pulwama attack claimed by the Pakistan-basedJaish-e-Mohammed group which killed forty CRPF personnel.