New Delhi: In a veiled attack on Pakistan and in a strong message to it, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - in a joint statement — "condemned efforts, including by States, to use religion to justify, sustain and sponsor terrorism against other countries".

The two countries "further deplored efforts by countries to give religious and sectarian colour to political issues, and pointed out the responsibility of all States to control the activities of the so-called 'non-state actors'."


The joint statement was issued during the visit of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces, to India.

It may be recalled that in a terror attack suspected to have been carried out by Pakistan-backed Afghan Taliban, several UAE nationals had died, with serious injuries suffered by the UAE ambassador to Afghanistan too.

Marking a special gesture for UAE, a contingent of the Arab country's armed forces led India's 68th Republic Day parade at the majestic Rajpath here.

The Crown Prince said he was honoured to be a part of the celebrations and the Indian people had sent a "civilised message" to the rest of the world by celebrating diversity in unity.

The UAE leader was seated next to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wore a pink coloured 'safa' (turban). President Pranab Mukherjee took the salute of the marching contingents. Alongside the Crown Prince, the ceremonial parade was watched by vice-president Hamid Ansari, former PM Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and the country's top political and military brass, besides the diplomatic community.