Abu Dhabi - The warm relations between the UAE and India were highlighted in February, when a UAE delegation that included Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, made a historic three-day visit to India.
Published: Mon 3 Oct 2016, 5:28 PM
Last updated: Mon 3 Oct 2016, 6:15 PM
The Government of India has invited His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to be the chief guest at the country's 68th Republic Day celebrations in 2017.
The official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup extended the invitation to the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince for the country's 68th celebration through a tweet.
Shaikh Mohammed's official Twitter handle @MBZNews confirmed and accepted the invitation through a series of tweets.
To date, 58 foreign heads of states have attended India's Republic Day celebrations as guests of honour. French President Francoise Hollande was the guest of honour last year.
"It's a matter of great privilege and honour for us," Indian embassy charge d'affaires Neeta Bhushan said after the announcement. "It is a testimony to the vibrancy of our bilateral relations that frequent visits are taking place at the highest level...the Indian community here in the UAE is very happy to hear this news."
The warm relations between the UAE and India were highlighted in February, when a UAE delegation that included Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, made a historic three-day visit to India.
A joint statement at the conclusion of the trip noted that the two countries "enjoy strong bonds of friendship based on civilisational links, age-old maritime trade and vibrant people-to-people contacts."
"In modern times, the dynamism of the two countries has translated into a rapidly expanding and mutually beneficial partnership, with the two nations now enjoying an extensive framework of agreements and partnerships," the statement added. "Close geographical proximity, historical links, cultural affinity, natural synergies, shared aspirations and common challenges provide further impetus to this robust engagement."
Shaikh Mohammed's visit was preceded by an August 2015 visit by Prime Minister Modi to the UAE, during which the two countries agreed to further strengthen their cooperation in a number of areas, including trade, investment, security, counter-terrorism, joint defence production, space programmes, IT and electronics.
In a speech given to a massive crowd of 50,000 at Dubai Cricket Stadium, Modi expressed his belief that "India-UAE ties are set to grow at a historic pace." He also thanked the leadership of the UAE.
"In these two days, there is a confidence in the air. International relations are based on how articulate you are, on diplomacy, and more than this, trust is above all," he said.
According to the UAE Ministry of Economy report from February, India is considered to be the UAE's primary trade partner, accounting for about 9.8 per cent of its total non-oil trade. India is also the largest importer of goods from the UAE, buying about 14.9 per cent of its exports and about 8.7 per cent of its re-exports, becoming the second-largest market of the UAE in the latter category.
By 2020, the total value of trade exchanges between the UAE and India is expected to hit $100 billion.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
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