PM Modi breaks protocol, personally receives Abu Dhabi crown prince at airport - Watch video

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday broke protocol as he received Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday broke protocol as he received Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as he arrived here on a three-day visit to India.

Modi welcomed Sheikh Mohamed with a warm embrace as the latter alighted from the aircraft at the Palam Technical Area here.

PM Modi also tweeted about it:

Welcomed my close friend His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/oaVjbeHobE — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 10, 2016

This is Sheikh Mohammed's 1st state visit to India & am glad he is visiting with his family. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 10, 2016

Sheikh Mohammed is a visionary leader. His visit will add new vigour & momentum to comprehensive strategic partnership between India & UAE.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 10, 2016

The crown prince is being accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising cabinet ministers, senior officials and business leaders. 

A slew of agreements, including on defence equipment manufacturing and civil nuclear cooperation, are likely to be signed between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the crown prince's visit, as per IANS.

After the India-UAE relationship was elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE in August last year, the first by an Indian prime minister in 34 years, there is focus on new areas of cooperation like defence production in India, security, counter-terrorism, in nuclear and space sector, in energy sector, according to Anil Wadhwa, secretary (east) in the external affairs ministry.

Watch the video below: (Courtesy​ - ANI)

WATCH: UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received upon arrival by PM Narendra Modi in Delhihttps://t.co/GCvFu4ZtuY — ANI (@ANI_news) February 10, 2016

(With IANS inputs)