The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has honored a unique tradition by planting a sapling at Rajghat, New Delhi, marking a significant moment in the enduring relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
During his first official visit to India, the Crown Prince paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by planting an Amaltas (Cassia Fistula) sapling. This gesture follows a distinguished lineage of UAE leaders who have previously honored the legacy of Gandhi through similar acts of respect and commitment.
The tradition began in 1992 when Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, planted an Amaltas sapling during his visit to India. This was followed in 2016 by his son, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the current President of the UAE, who planted a Molshri (Mimusops Elengi) sapling at Rajghat. With this latest visit, the Crown Prince’s action marks the first time in Rajghat’s history that three generations of leaders from a single nation have planted trees in tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled arrived in New Delhi on Monday, and his visit has been marked by significant diplomatic engagements. He met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, where the two leaders signed several agreements in critical sectors including nuclear energy, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), oil, and food security.
The Crown Prince also met with President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. President Murmu expressed satisfaction with the expanded cooperation between India and the UAE, highlighting the deepening of the historic partnership through new agreements.
A Symbol of Growing Relations
The planting of the sapling at Rajghat serves as a powerful symbol of the deep-rooted relationship between India and the UAE. It signifies the ongoing commitment of both nations to strengthen their bilateral ties and honor shared values and historical connections.
As the UAE continues to build on this tradition, the ceremonial act of planting a tree at Rajghat stands as a lasting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and a testament to the enduring partnership between the two countries.
Sources By Agencies
