President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan came on an official visit to India on January 19. The Joint Statement issued on the conclusion of his three and a half hour long stay in Delhi noted “This was the fifth visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in the last ten years and his third official visit to India as the President of the UAE”. On his part Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited the UAE on seven occasions, the last being in 2024. It is clear that the two leaders have the conviction that the interests of India and the UAE coincide. Hence, their careful nurturing of the bilateral relationship since the time both of them began to helm their countries in 2014.

Sheikh Mohamed became Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in 2004. That was the year his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed, who can be called the founder of UAE, died. Sheikh Zayed became Abu Dhabi’s ruler in 1966. Four years earlier large oil deposits were found in Abu Dhabi. That held the prospect of transforming the Emirate but it required a sagacious ruler to handle the great wealth which was to pour in. He was one.

This was also the time when the British had decided to end their protectorates over the Trucial States. Abu Dhabi was one of them. Before departing they wanted to form a federation of these states. Eventually seven—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras-al-Khaimah, Umm ul........

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