KUWAIT: Government of India has declared one day national mourning on May 14, 2022 as a mark of respect to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi who passed away on Friday. The country's national flag was flown at half-mast on the day of mourning throughout India on all buildings where the national flag is flown regularly and there was no official entertainment on the day, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

President of India Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed condolences at the demise of Sheikh Khalifa. In their messages, they noted that he was a statesman and a visionary leader and recalled his contribution to the strengthening of India-UAE bilateral relations and the welfare of the Indian community in UAE.

"I am deeply saddened to know about the passing away of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed. He was a great statesman and visionary leader under whom India-UAE relations prospered. The heartfelt condolences of the people of India are with the people of UAE. May his soul rest in peace," the prime minister tweeted on Friday.

"We deeply mourn the passing away of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. He will be remembered as a leader who modernized and empowered the United Arab Emirates. This laid the foundation of the transformation of the India-UAE relationship," India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar tweeted on Friday. India's national flag was flown at half-mast on Saturday at the Embassy of India, Kuwait as a mark of respect to the departed leader.