UAE to give India's Modi highest civilian award this week

DUBAI – UAE will give the highest civilian award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the country on August 23 and 24.

Mr Modi would also pay a state visit to Bahrain on August 24 and 25 where he would launch the renovation of a temple of Shreenathji, the Hindu reported while quoting Indian External Affairs Ministry’s statement on Monday.

“The order in the name of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the UAE, acquires special significance as it is awarded to PM Modi in the year of the birth centenary of Sheikh Zayed,” the statement added.

The visit acquires importance as it would be the first by PM Modi to a leading member of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) after India had changed the status of Kashmir.