Abu Dhabi Crown Prince to be chief guest on Republic Day 2017; PM Modi says it 'will boost vibrant India-UAE ties'

Delhi: Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be the chief guest on Republic Day 2017.

Tweeting about it Prime Minister Narendra Modi said:

Thank you for very kindly agreeing to grace the 2017 Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest. https://t.co/UqnX6BJJdW — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2016

The coming of HH Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will give a very strong boost to the vibrant India-UAE ties. @MBZNews — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2016

On the other hand, MEA posted on Twitter - "We hope to welcome a dear friend of India, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, as Republic Day 2017 chief guest."

We hope 2 welcome a dear friend of India, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, as Republic Day 2017 Chief Guest pic.twitter.com/aC5EkjFiCg — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) October 2, 2016

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi,HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a well-wisher of India.Honour to have him as chief guest for RDay'17. https://t.co/GwByE7f7mr — Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) October 2, 2016

Thanking PM Modi, the Crown Prince tweeted:

In a letter to India's PM, Mohamed bin Zayed expresses thanks for the kind invitation to attend India's Republic Day celebrations — أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) October 2, 2016

"Our strong relations are deeply rooted in history; our strategic cooperation has increased, driven by our mutual aspirations to develop it" — أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) October 2, 2016

Whereas in 2016 French President Francois Hollande had been invited to grace the occasion, in 2015, US President Barack Obama was the chief guest.

Earlier, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had visited India for three days in February this year when PM Modi had broken protocol to receive him.

This is what PM Modi had tweeted then - 

Welcomed my close friend His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/oaVjbeHobE — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 10, 2016

This is Sheikh Mohammed's 1st state visit to India & am glad he is visiting with his family. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 10, 2016

Sheikh Mohammed is a visionary leader. His visit will add new vigour & momentum to comprehensive strategic partnership between India & UAE. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 10, 2016

At that time, India and UAE had signed a wide-ranging set of seven agreements including on cyber security, infrastructure investment and insurance after talks between PM Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

At their restricted as well as delegation-level talks in the national capital, the two leaders had deliberated extensively on combating threat of terrorism including from ISIS, and had explored ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism, maritime security and defence.

On his part, PM Modi had visited UAE in August 2015 during which it was decided to elevate the relationship to 'comprehensive strategic partnership'.

(With Agency inputs)