Image Credit: https://www.pmindia.gov.in/
Dubai Crown Prince Gifts Replica of Grandfather’s Traditional Cloak to PM Modi
In a powerful symbol of enduring friendship between India and the United Arab Emirates, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a replica of his grandfather Sheikh Rashid’s ‘bisht’—a traditional Arabian embroidered cloak. The ‘bisht’ is an iconic garment worn over the Qandura and holds deep cultural and historical significance in Arab tradition.
Strengthening India-UAE Relations
During his official visit to India, Sheikh Hamdan met with Prime Minister Modi to discuss ways to further enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. The meeting placed strong emphasis on cultural exchanges and the strengthening of people-to-people ties, which are seen as pillars of long-lasting diplomatic and economic cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi extended warm greetings to UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He also congratulated the Crown Prince on the recent birth of his daughter, Hind bint Hamdan.
A Gift Steeped in History
In addition to the traditional cloak, Sheikh Hamdan also gifted Modi an original newspaper clipping commemorating the heroic act of his father, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who helped rescue passengers aboard Indian Airlines Flight 421 in August 1984. This personal gesture served to remind both sides of the longstanding goodwill and brotherhood that have defined India-UAE relations for decades.
First Official Visit by the Crown Prince
This trip marks Sheikh Hamdan’s first official visit to India as Crown Prince, and he was accompanied by a high-level delegation of ministers, officials, and business leaders. The visit focused not just on diplomatic formalities but also on expanding avenues for future collaboration across sectors including trade, energy, infrastructure, and cultural diplomacy.
The presentation of the ‘bisht’ was more than a ceremonial gesture—it was a tribute to shared history, mutual respect, and a vision for a stronger bilateral relationship in the years to come.
