The relations between India and UAE was further cemented as Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces visited India and was the chief guest during the Republic Day celebrations. He had a fruitful meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a total of 14 wide-ranging agreements was signed between the two countries including strategic comprehensive partnership and deals on defence and maritime cooperation.
Modi, in a speech following the exchange of the MOUs ( Memorandum of Understandings), said " UAE is one of our most valued partners and a close friend in an important region of the world. I had a very fruitful and productive discussions with His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed. We particularly focused on implementation of various decisions taken during our last two meetings. We agreed to sustain the momentum of our relations in key areas, including energy and investments."
UAE troops also marched on the Rajpath for the first time during the Republic Day celebrations. The 149-strong Emirati contingent was the first in the marching order, behind only the parade commander, his second-in-command, and gallantry award winners.
A joint statement released by the two countries hours after the parade noted that Sheikh Mohamed's visit was a 'momentous occasion' in relations between India and the UAE. In the statement, both sides expressed satisfaction at the progress made since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to the UAE in August 2015, and noted that the meetings between Modi and Sheikh Mohamed were 'productive' and 'fruitful.'
New Chapter
A new chapter has been written in the India-UAE ties with this visit. The two countries welcomed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and vow to use ties to benefit the region. They pledged to combat terrorism, work together in defence and security matters, and promote tolerance and took vow to further deepen economic ties, with the ultimate goal of increasing bilateral trade 60% in two years
Modi also thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for the consistent support expressed by the UAE for India's candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
Burj Khalifa lighted in Indian tri-colour
The world's tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, was lit up in tri-colours – saffron, white and green to mark the Republic Day. The musical fountains located adjacent to the world's tallest building leapt to the strains of Jai Ho and Vande Mataram about three times on January 26 as a mile high electronic flag draped the Burj.
At over 2,716.5 feet, Burj Khalifa holds records for the tallest building in the world, tallest free-standing structure in the world, highest number of storeys in the world, highest occupied floor in the world, highest outdoor observation deck in the world, elevator with the longest travel distance in the world as well as the tallest service elevator in the world.
UAE and Indian youth created music video Mile Sur Mera Tumhara goes viral
Young creative musicians of India and the UAE further cemented the close ties between the two countries by launching their passion project – a fusion of Indian and Khaleej music. The musicians Nishita Charles, Adel Ebrahim, Mahesh Raghvan and Riyaz Shah recreated the timeless music of ‘Mile sur mera tumhara’ and ‘Ye jo des’, from the hit movie Swades, with some unique twits.
The unique musical style, combining electronic instruments with Carnatic, Bollywood and Khaleeji Music, became a viral hit on the eve of India’s Republic Day. A seamless creative fusion of cultures and styles, and posted under the #UAE_IndiaDosti, it is a set to become a fitting anthem of the two countries’ close friendship.