Abu Dhabi, Oct 19: President A P J Abdul Kalam today thanked the crown prince of UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan for handing over 12 people wanted in India in connection with terrorist activities and hoped the strategic dialogue between India and the Gulf nation would take a concrete shape in coming months. Kalam's remarks assumed significance in the backdrop of deportation from UAE of several persons in connection with a series of bomb blasts in Mumbai and the attack on American Centre in Kolkata. It also acquires importance in the wake of India's urging certain countries not to harbour Dawood Ibrahim, declared by the us a "global terrorist" and wanted in India in connection with 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, who has in the past operated from the UAE.

Bureau Report