Top UAE honour conferred on PM Modi

New Delhi: The United Arab Emirates on Thursday decided to confer its highest civilian award, the “Order of Zayed”, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi “in recognition of the efforts of the government under the Prime Minister’s leadership to develop the strategic partnership between India and the UAE”. In a statement, India said it “greatly appreciated this honour”. The UAE move underscores the close ties between it and India, which have become stronger in the tenure of the Narendra Modi government.

Speculation is raging on whether Mr Modi will travel to the UAE to receive the award. While there is speculation on whether the visit will take place on April 20, sources said scheduling any visit now may be difficult in view of the hectic ongoing political campaign of Mr Modi while at the same time, not ruling out a brief visit altogether.

It may be recalled that the UAE had played a crucial role in de-escalation and reduction of tensions between India and Pakistan after a dogfight between the two Air Forces on February 27. It may also be recalled that India had been the “guest of honour” at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers’ meeting in Abu Dhabi on March 1 at the invitation of the UAE.

Mr Modi had in February this year received the Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 in South Korea in “recognition of his dedication to improving international cooperation, raising global economic growth, accelerating the human development of the people of India by fostering economic growth in the world’s fastest growing large economy and furthering the development of democracy through anti-corruption and social integration efforts”.

Exactly three years ago, in April 2016, Mr Modi had also been conferred Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honour.

Meanwhile, in a statement from New Delhi on Thursday, the external affairs ministry said: “The Government of the United Arab Emirates has decided to confer the country’s highest civilian award, the Order of Zayed, on the Prime Minister of India. This singular honour is in recognition of the efforts of the government under the Prime Minister’s leadership to develop the strategic partnership between India and the UAE. We greatly appreciate this honour bestowed upon the PM by HH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed and the UAE government. The UAE is home to the largest number of our citizens outside India, and is our partner in diverse pillars of cooperation, including investment, energy, defence and security.”

News agency reports from the UAE quoted Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed as saying: “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.”