Abu Dhabi: The Order of Zayed, the highest civilian award of United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been conferred upon Narendra Modi for his effort to reinforce the comprehensive strategic ties between India and UAE.
Announcing the award, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, tweeted, “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. In appreciation of his efforts, the UAE President grants him the Zayed Medal.”
Shortly after coming to power, Narendra Modi had given prime importance to his relations with the Middle Eastern country. To boost the relations, Narendra Modi paid a highly successful visit to the country in 2015. The Crown Prince reciprocated with a visit to India in 2017 after he was invited as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “India-UAE commercial relations are anchored by energy cooperation, trade, investments by UAE in India and investments and businesses driven by Indian expatriates in UAE.”
The trade between the two nations stood at $50 billion in 2017, making India the second biggest trading partner of UAE. The Middle Eastern country also accounts for 8% of India’s oil imports and is the fifth largest supplier of crude oil to India.
India export business to UAE is around $31 billion which makes the West Asian country the third biggest export destination.
India-UAE relations also go well beyond business and extends to security cooperation. UAE has recently extradited many economic offenders and hardcore Islamic terrorists waging war against India.
Suspects of AugustaWestland who considered UAE as a safe haven, far from Indian law enforcement, have found themselves suddenly brought to India and are now facing trial.
Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist, Nisar Ahmed Tantray, who is an accused in a 2017 attack at a CRPF camp, was deported from UAE to India yesterday.
United Arab Emirates is one of the few countries that Narendra Modi had visited twice during his Prime Ministership.
