The recent decision, taken by Modi led-government to revoke Article 370 has made Pakistan’s blood run cold. It has been trying its best to create global pressure on India. Failing in its attempt, spooked Pakistan government, now decided to skip its pre-scheduled trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following PM Narendra Modi’ recent visit to the nation where he was honoured with ‘Order of Zayed’, the highest civilian honour and ‘The King Hamad Order of the Renaissance’.
Pakistan Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani has decided to cancel an official visit of his parliamentary delegation to the UAE over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving the highest civilian honour in UAE, reported Geo TV.
Sanjrani was scheduled to visit the UAE from August 25 to August 28 on the invitation of the UAE government. His delegation was to hold meetings with the UAE parliamentarians and government officials.
In a lame excuse, the Senate Secretariat said in a statement: “The Senate chairman, however, decided to cancel the trip as Pakistan vehemently supports Kashmiri peoples’ right to freedom from Indian occupation and condemns India’s atrocities in the occupied valley”.
This is rather amusing as the public at large, who have been at the receiving end of the decades-long high voltage tension in Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed the decision of the abrogation of Article 370 by the government which has rekindled hopes among Kashmiri Pandits as well as others who got displaced, to go back to their homes in Jammu and Kashmir almost after three decades. In fact, the people of the newly formed UT have perceived abrogation and bifurcation as a golden opportunity to progress.
Meanwhile, amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan ever since New Delhi on August 5 revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divided it into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, PM Narendra Modi has been conferred with ‘The King Hamad Order of the Renaissance’ by King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on August 24 (Saturday).
The Order of Zayed award has earlier been bestowed on several world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Queen Elizabeth II and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“The award in the name of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, acquires special significance as it was awarded to Prime Minister Modi in the year of the birth centenary of Sheikh Zayed,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement ahead of his visit.
PM Modi was also honoured with “The King Hamad Order of the Renaissance” as he held talks with King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on various bilateral and regional issues.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bahrain is significant as it is the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the country.
“Ties built on deep civilizational linkages. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly received by HM King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the Al Gudaibiya Palace. Both leaders exchanged views on all matters of mutual interest,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.
While addressing the joint statement along with the King of Bahrain, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I feel very honoured and fortunate to be awarded The King Hamad Order of the Renaissance. I am equally honoured by your majesty’s friendship for me and for my country.”
“I humbly accept this prestigious honour on behalf of 1.3 billion Indians,” PM added. “It is an honour for entire India. This is a symbol of the close and friendly relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and India.”
