Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives President Pranab Mukherjee and the Chief Guest Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the 68th Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan — who was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day — on Thursday said he was honoured to share the celebrations with the Indian people who had sent a “civilised message” to the rest of the world by celebrating diversity in unity.

Sheikh Al Nahyan hailed the Indian values and diversity in a series of tweets. “I am very delighted and honoured to share Republic Day celebrations with the Indian people,” said a tweet on MBZNews, the official Twitter account of Mr Al Nahyan, as per news agencies.

“UAE’s participation in Republic Day celebrations reflects the depth of our ties which are based on mutual respect & common interests,” he added. The tweets said (Sheikh) Mohammed bin Zayed (Al-Nahyan) attended the celebrations “amid a warm official and popular reception.”

He added, “Republic Day is an example of how positive values propel nations into greatness. This is something that we in the UAE takes at heart.”

Hailing the host country’s diversity, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi said, “India sends a civilised message to the rest of the world as its people - from diverse ethnicities, religions and sects - celebrate in unity.” He noted that the day “marks a turning point in Indian history: a political system that celebrates diversity within unified national fabric was formed.”