UAE honours ‘dear friend’ Modi with highest civilian award

Award comes in recognition of Indian PM Modi's role in boosting long-standing relations between UAE, India

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has honoured Indian Prime Minister Narender Modi with the highest civilian award in recognition of his efforts in maintaining strategic ties with the gulf state.

Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan awarded the Zayed Medal (Order of Zayed) to the Indian premier, Khaleej Times, reported on Thursday.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reflecting on the decision, said the Indian prime minister had played a crucial role in enhancing bilateral ties to the level of comprehensive strategic relations.

“We have historical and comprehensive strategic ties with India,” the crown prince wrote on the microblogging website, Twitter.

“In appreciation of his [Modi’s] efforts, the UAE President grants him the Zayed Meda,” he added.

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.

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) April 4, 2019

Reacting on being awarded the Emirati honour, the Indian premier also took to Twitter to thank the UAE leadership. "This friendship is contributing to the peace and prosperity of our people and planet," Modi said.

Thank you, Your Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

I accept this honour with utmost humility.

Under your visionary leadership, our strategic ties have reached new heights. This friendship is contributing to the peace and prosperity of our people and planet. https://t.co/gtAy00uffw

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2019

Amongst the previous honorees, Chinese President Xi Jinping was awarded the Zayed Medal in 2018, and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud in 2016.

The article originally appeared on Khaleej Times