This refers to the report, “India, UAE sign Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” (January 26). Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh acknowledged the presence of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud as the chief guest of the 57th Republic Day, as a manifestation of a new wind of change blowing in India's bilateral relations with the Arab world. Seeking new investments, Singh was optimistic that the visit of the custodian of the two holy mosques would be a harbinger for engagement between India and the UAE.
The participation of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Shaikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the 68th Republic Day is yet another reflection of the “deep-rooted Emirati-Indian relations”. Joint military exercises, investments in various fields and cooperation on fighting terror is expected to go a long way to energise India's strategic ties with the UAE. However, India should be circumspect in its embrace and should not undermine the fact that the increasing proximity of the Gulf is fraught by geopolitical circumstances.