INTERNATIONAL
India announced one day of national mourning following the death of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
A notification was sent by the Union Home Ministry to all states and union territories on this as a mark of respect to the departed dignitary.
As per the notification, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment.
He was the eldest son of the UAE’s founder President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan passed away at the age of 73, after battling illness for several years.
He was a statesman and a visionary leader and India recalled his contribution to the strengthening of India-UAE bilateral relations and the welfare of the Indian community in the Gulf nation.
Khalifa, who was born in 1948, came to power in 2004 in Abu Dhabi and became the head of state. His half-brother Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan is expected to succeed him.