Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Chief Guest of the Republic Day, said he was honoured to share the celebrations with the Indian people who had sent a "civilized message" to the rest of the world by celebrating diversity in unity.
Prince Al Nahyan, who witnessed the main parade marching down the majestic Rajpath here along with President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a galaxy of dignitaries, hailed the Indian values and diversity in a series of tweets.
Following are a couple of tweets posted on the official handle.
India sends a civilized message to the rest of the world as its people - from diverse ethnicities, religions and sects - celebrate in unity.
— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) January 26, 2017
Republic Day is an example of how positive values propel nations into greatness. This is something that we in the UAE takes at heart.
— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) January 26, 2017
Republic Day marks a turning point in Indian history: a political system that celebrates diversity within unified national fabric was formed
— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) January 26, 2017
At the end of the Prince Al Nahyan’s visit, India and UAE issued a joint statement through which both the countries committed to work together to counter radicalisation and misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting hatred and perpetrating acts of terrorism.
The Prince also declared that ‘strong condemnation of and resolute opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever committed and by whomever, and declared that there could be no justification for terrorism anywhere.’
Without naming Pakistan, the statement also states ‘The two sides condemned efforts, including by States, to use religion to justify, sustain and sponsor terrorism against other countries. They further deplored efforts by countries to give religious and sectarian colour to political issues and pointed out the responsibility of all States to control the activities of the so-called 'non-State actors'.’
With this joint statement, India enhances diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to take firm action against terror activities conducting on its land.