Scores of social media users sharply criticized the United Arab Emirates’ decision to honour PM Modi with the country’s highest civilian award, with one user asking “Has the UAE lost it?”
The UAE is preparing to award PM Modi the “Order of Zayed,” or the “Zayed Medal” the highest civilian award of the country, when he touches down for his diplomacy tour beginning with the UAE on Friday.
It come at a time when the BJP-led-NDA government faces international pressure for recent crackdown on Article 370 that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The juxtaposition of honouring PM Modi with UAE’s top civilian honour does not go down well with the users who have blasted the Emirates’ plan.
Here are some reactions:
The “Zayed Medal” named after the UAE’s founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyanwas.
The decoration was conferred earlier first announced in April when Mohammed bin Zayed revealed it was being handed to PM Modi for boosting relations.
The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner with bilateral investments and also the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil.
In a statement issued by the MEA, the Ministry stated, “The Government of the United Arab Emirates has decided to confer the country’s highest civilian award “the Order of Zayed” on the Prime Minister of India.”
The statement further read, “We greatly appreciate this honour bestowed upon PM by HH Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed and the Government of the UAE.”