3rd-generation UAE leadership honours Mahatma Gandhi

New Delhi, Sep 9: During his official visit to India, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, marking a historic moment in the long-standing relationship between the UAE and India.

In a significant gesture, the Crown Prince planted a sapling at Rajghat, becoming the third-generation leader and royal family from the UAE to do so.

The rare event of planting a sapling highlights the generational continuity of the UAE’s commitment to India, a tradition that began with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, former President of the UAE, who planted a sapling at Rajghat in 1992, followed by Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in 2016.

This marks the first time in Rajghat’s history that leaders from three successive generations of a foreign country have honoured Mahatma Gandhi by planting saplings, symbolising the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal on the occasion posting on X, “In the footsteps of the Mahatma for a greener planet: Continuing a historic tradition, HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, planted a sapling at Rajghat today, highlighting the sustainability connect and Mahatma’s universal teachings.”

The Crown Prince’s visit to India, his first in this official capacity, was at the invitation of PM Modi.

Upon his arrival in New Delhi on September 9, 2024, he was received by Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, on Saturday and honoured with a ceremonial Guard of Honour.

Accompanied by Ministers, senior officials, and a large business delegation, Sheikh Khaled engaged in discussions with the PM, the President, and various business leaders in Delhi.

The visit, which reflects the growing partnership between the two nations, will continue in Mumbai, where the Crown Prince is scheduled to participate in high-level business meetings aimed at further expanding trade and bilateral relations between India and the UAE.