The 70th anniversary of India’s Independence Day was celebrated, on Tuesday, in Abu Dhabi with great fervour.

Ambassador Navdeep Suri unfurled the Indian tricolour on the Embassy premises, after which they sang the National Anthem. He then read out the Address to the Nation by the President of India and highlighted the resolve to achieve ‘Sankalp Se Sidhi’ a New India by 2022.

He also underlined the excellent relations between India and the UAE, under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He referred to the historic visit made by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to India in January as the "Guest of Honour" at the Republic Day celebrations.

"The UAE and India share identical views on the need to combat terrorism. The two countries co-operate in this field to ensure regional security," he added.

Suri said India is the UAE's top trading partner, while the UAE is the third-largest trading partner of India. The total non-oil trade between the two countries reached US$52.8 billion during 2016-2017, up by 6.2 percent when compared with 2015-2016.

The Ambassador thanked the leadership, the government, and the people of the UAE and wished them further progress and prosperity. He also thanked many Emiratis and other foreign friends of the country who conveyed their good wishes on India's Independence Day.