Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with the 'Order of Zayed', the UAE's highest civilian award, on Saturday in recognition of his pivotal role in building the strategic relationship between the two countries. The award has earlier been bestowed on several world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, ex-Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Modi thanked the UAE government for the honour and dedicated the award to the skills and abilities of 1.3 billion Indians. The award was conferred on Modi by the Abu Dhabi crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.

PM Narendra Modi conferred 'Order of Zayed'

"Humbled to be conferred the 'Order of Zayed' a short while ago. More than an individual, this award is for India's cultural ethos and is dedicated to 130 crore Indians. I thank the UAE Government for this honour," Modi tweeted later. Ahead of Modi's visit to the UAE, the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said the award in the name of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, "acquires special significance as it was awarded to Prime Minister Modi in the year of the birth centenary of Sheikh Zayed". India and the UAE enjoy warm, close and multi-faceted relations underpinned by cultural, religious and economic linkages which, during the prime minister's previous visit to the UAE in August 2015, stood elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership, it said. The UAE in April had announced to confer the country's highest award on Modi.

PM Narendra Modi tweets about receiving 'Order of Zayed'

UAE & India bilateral ties

In a tweet in April, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said, "We have historical and comprehensive strategic ties with India, reinforced by the pivotal role of my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave these relations a big boost." With an annual bilateral trade of about USD 60 billion, the UAE is India's third-largest trade partner. It is also the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India. "A 3.3 million-strong vibrant Indian community in the UAE nourishes the vibrant people-to-people contacts between our two friendly countries," the MEA said, adding that Modi's visit would further strengthen the friendly bilateral ties.