Mohamed bin Zayed holds officials talks with Indian PM

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on Wednesday held official bilateral talks with Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. The two leaders discussed boosting bilateral ties and a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The talks, held in Hyderabad House in New Delhi, began with Prime Minister Modi welcoming His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and the accompanying delegation, and expressing his delight over His Highness's visit to India. Mr. Modi also praised the special relationship that ties the two nations together and the mutual eagerness to increase cooperation for the service of the two friendly peoples.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the enthusiastic and friendly reception and their generous hospitality. His Highness also congratulated the Indian people and government on the occasion of the 68th Republic Day.

His Highness conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to Premier Narendra Modi and their best wishes for him and the Indian people.

The Indian Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the warm wishes and friendly greetings, asking His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to convey a similar message to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the people of the UAE.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed expressed his delight at his visit to India, which he said was tied to the UAE with a special relationship. He noted that the strong relationship between the two countries builds on a rich heritage of friendship and cooperation.

His Highness stressed that the UAE, under the leadership of His Highness President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is keen to further develop its relations with India on the unshakable basis of mutual respect and common interests.

His Highness pointed out that he has sensed, during several discussions between the two leaderships, a shared desire to strengthen bilateral relations and to move them steadily forward, adding that this shared desire made him more confident that the two countries would be able build a true strategic partnership that serves current and future generations. He said he believes the relationship between India and the UAE have all the elements that qualify it to be one of the most important and strongest bilateral relationships in the region and the world and the one with most potential.

In their talks, the two leaders discussed existing bilateral relations and how to foster them. They also discussed a number of regional and international issues, including current regional developments such as terrorism and violence, and other issues of mutual interest.

At the conclusion of talks, the two sides stressed that UAE-India relations were witnessing major developments and breakthroughs at the strategic level, and voiced their shared enthusiasm about taking all necessary measures to push these relations forward.

The two leaders also stressed that the UAE and India share a common interest in working for peace and stability in the region and the rest of world by helping to resolve disputes and conflicts by peaceful means. They also reiterated that they share a common desire to confront forces of terrorism and extremism and to create a secure and stable regional and international environment that serves the interest of all nations and help them develop and prosper.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed signed the visitor's book at Hyderabad House, writing that the Indian Constitution, which is celebrated every year on Republic Day, has laid the foundations for India to take on a steady course of growth and comprehensive development. He also expressed his pride at the advanced level that UAE-India relations have reached, adding that he looks forward to enhancing those relations at all levels given the mutual interest by the leaderships of the two countries to do so.

Prime Minister Modi also hosted a luncheon in honour of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the accompanying delegation.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed was accompanied during the visit by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the State Security Department, H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Advisor, H.H. Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary at the Court of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and Dr. Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Banna, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of India.