United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be honored with the prestigious ‘Zayed Medal’ to play a key role in promoting bilateral relations. The President of UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced the honor of Prime Minister Modi with this highest honor given to the kings, presidents, and heads of state. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj welcomed the announcement. The Prime Minister also thanked the President of the UAE for tweeting. He wrote in the tweet, “I accept this award with full humility. Our strategic relationship with your visionary leadership has reached new heights. These friendships are contributing to the peace and prosperity of our people. ‘
According to the news of the Khaleej Times, this honor has been given as appreciation for the role of Modi in supporting long-term friendship and joint strategic cooperation between the two countries. Abu Badhabi’s eminent Mohammed bin Zayed tweeted, “There are our historical and comprehensive strategic relations with India, which has been further promoted by our dear friends, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Appreciating their efforts, the President of the UAE has announced the award to him. He wrote on Twitter: “Our dear friend has expressed his respect for his (Modi) role in building friendship relations between the UAE and India and further strengthening joint strategic cooperation by giving Zaid Medal to the Indian Prime Minister.”
Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted, “I am very happy to welcome the announcement of Mohammed Bin Zayed that India’s great sovereign Prime Minister Narendra Modi be given the medal,” he said, adding that the new era of strategic partnership with the UAE and the Islamic Modi was given this prestigious award to recognize his effective role in starting the best relationships with the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the UAE for the second time as Prime Minister in February last year and had a detailed discussion with the princes. After this discussion, the two sides had signed five agreements related to energy sector, railways, manpower and financial services. The Prime Minister made the first visit to UAE in August 2015.