Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter on Saturday to express his “best wishes” to the new President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. “I am confident that under his dynamic leadership and vision, our comprehensive strategic partnership will continue to be deepened,” Modi told the microblogging site.

State media reported that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates, was today elected as the new president of the Gulf state by the Supreme Federal Council.

Council which includes the rulers of the seven emirates of the Federation of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed appoints a new president, The day after the death of his half-brother, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, also ruler of Abu Dhabi.

Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, wrote: “We congratulate him and swear allegiance to him as do our people… follow his leadership to glory. . on Twitter.

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi since 2004, Sheikh Mohammed, 61, also known as MBZ, controls the world’s fourth-richest wealth fund and around 6% of proven crude reserves, according to Bloomberg. The Bloomberg report added that he was also credited with polishing the Gulf nation’s image as a liberal, social and pro-business oasis while maintaining a hard line on dissent and covering the country with ‘high-tech scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Modi’s message regarding the latest developments in the UAE came on a day when India held an official mourning as a mark of respect for Sheikh Khalifa’s death. Earlier Saturday, the national flag flew across the country in all buildings where the tricolor flag flies daily. On Friday, the Home Office (MHA) declared an official day of mourning.

Modi also took to Twitter on Friday after news of Sheikh Khalifa’s death spread. He said that “So sad” to hear the news of Sheikh Khalifa’s death, He remembers him as “a great statesman and a visionary leader through whom India-UAE relations flourished”.

Several other political leaders including Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, Unity Minister Piyush Goyal, Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan among others also expressed their condolences over the death by Sheikh Khalifa.