This refers to the editorial, “New India-UAE warmth” (January 25). India needs close friends in the Gulf to counter terrorism and anti-India propaganda of Pakistan on Kashmir. Developments in the Gulf impacts the Indian economy and also millions of Indians living there. Earlier Governments didn't do much to improve relations with the Gulf nations. Contrarily, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s outreach to the Gulf nations has been commendable.
The visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Shaikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al Nahyan as the chief guest for this year's Republic Day function is a part of the same process. Besides signing a number of bilateral agreements, New Delhi also wants to convince the UAE, which is an influential member of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), about the unproductivity of OIC's statements on Kashmir and about Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorism in Afghanistan and Kashmir. Modi's efforts for mobilising Gulf countries in favour of India are bound to bear fruit.