Abu Dhabi Crown Prince accepts Modi's request to be Republic Day chief guest

October 2, 2016

New Delhi, Oct 2: The crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations in January, 2017.

Tweeting his acceptance, Mohammed bin Zayed said, "Our strong relations are deeply rooted in history; our strategic cooperation has increased, driven by our mutual aspirations to develop it."

The Indian invitation, which went out early this year, and Al Nahyan's acceptance has strong political significance. As India reaches out West as part of a coordinated strategy, UAE is a lynch-pin of the economic, defense and strategic strands of the Indian outreach.

On one level it is a response to Modi's own visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai last year. But on a deeper level the impending visit sends out an important message at a time when tensions are escalating between India and Pakistan.

The UAE, like Saudi Arabia, are old strategic allies of Pakistan. The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were the only three countries to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

But the UAE has come a long way since then. Their relations with Pakistan too have undergone a qualitative change. In recent years, UAE, like Saudi Arabia, have embarked on a closer relationship with India on security and counter-terrorism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Mohammed bin Zayed for accepting the request.

"Thank you for very kindly agreeing to grace the 2017 Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest," he tweeted. Mohamed bin Zayed replied to his tweet, saying: "I am pleased to join in your Republic Day celebrations, wishing your friendly country more progress and prosperity."

Modi, in another tweet, said that the visit of the Crown Prince will give a "very strong boost to the vibrant India-UAE ties".

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Post-Sabarimala pilgrimage drinking party turns fatal in Udupi; youth killed in midnight brawl

News Network

December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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