I have a special place in my heart for UAE, and as an observer of inter-state relations, I must recall the exceptional warmth and respect between the two countries, particularly as I was stationed in Abu Dhabi/ Dubai as a Foreign Correspondent under the 1981 India-UAE Cultural Exchange Agreement signed during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s visit.
Many important events have marked the past few weeks, specifically the Indian Navy’s order for 26 shipboard French Rafale—M (Marine), following on the choice of 36 of these sophisticated jets by the Indian Air Force in 2016.
I will focus my attention nonetheless on the April 7-8 visit of HH Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and son of Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed, who is also the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. UAE is a federation of seven Emirates; the largest is Abu Dhabi and, Dubai, the second largest. The Ruler of Abu Dhabi is Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed, and he is the President of the country.
Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan and Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum were the founding fathers of the UAE, when it gained independence from Britain on 2nd December 1971.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India went out of the way in welcoming the youthful Shaikh Hamdan, reflecting the traditional warmth that India has for the state and people of UAE, and of course, vice versa. Shaikh Hamdan is UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister.
Shaikh Hamdan is also a poet, and writes under the pen name Fazza, meaning One Who Helps. Exactly like his father and grandfather, whom I’ve had the honour of meeting. Shaikh Rashid, and then Shaikh Mohammed, paid attention to both the people and development, and today, Dubai is among the finest and most modern cities to live, and happily. In fact, Shaikh Mohammed, who occasionally drives himself, and diligently follows all traffic rules, once told this writer that happiness of the people in Dubai was his primary goal.
I believe it because I’ve personally witnessed the pace of development and the growth of environment and people friendly institutions.
Shaikh Hamdan was accorded the ceremonial Guard of Honour, and the large delegation of ministers accompanying him met their Indian counterparts to Walk The Talk on boosting cooperation in economy, defence, trade, and technology. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on him, and the agenda included India’s offer for its missile defence system, defence industrial cooperation as well as between Coast Guards and other.
The Rulers of UAE are liberals, and they appear to be so also on Facebook; I’m among their Followers and Friends. As an Indian, who lived there, and with many friends there, I’d salute the leadership of the UAE, the poet Crown Prince included.
Thank You, Your Highness for visiting India.
— Gulshan Rai Luthra
