Two Leaders and One Hope

What makes UAE-India ties special? What makes them natural partners? Dynamic leaders who share a personal rapport and are persistent. Leaders who act quickly and walk the extra mile to make ties work. It requires a grand vision in the spirit of cooperation while being unafraid to confront common threats. They understand they have to move beyond shared history and trade that connects them.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi know it better than most modern world leaders. For them, personal rapport is vital to take the relationships to a higher, strategic level in a polarised world beset by multiple problems, where populism and radicalism are splitting societies. Liberalism and globalisation are under strain and income disparity has become a scourge of our generation.
In the midst of these upheavals, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi have become equal partners like none other, and are reaping the benefits of a relationship that has a long past and which is meant to last. The two countries are different, but similar when it comes to enterprise. Until 2015, they were friendly, but had not sealed deals as friends. This changed when Sheikh Mohamed received Modi at Abu Dhabi airport in August. The historical narrative paved way to constructive dialogue. The world soon took note and the stage was set for a new phase in ties. 
It was personal and was driven by the leaders who believed that there was much to be achieved together. It was the first visit to the UAE in 34 years, and the Indian PM was given a rock star reception by his compatriots.
The two sides moved fast with ministerial and department-level meetings on trade, investment and other fields, and in February 2016, Modi broke protocol to receive Sheikh Mohamed at Delhi airport. They embraced in the spirit of friendship. The hug hogged headlines across the world. A plan to set up a joint $75 billion investment fund was the grand takeaway of the trip. Other agreements and MoUs were also inked during the visit.
Behind the scenes, it is clear that the two men are the brains behind this uptick in relations. Their imprint is written all over it.
They have similar working styles, are go-getters, and want quick results. The latest visit by the UAE leader to New Delhi shows the emotional capital the two men have invested in the partnership. Again, the Modi hug was on display. They now talk openly, and often, like friends do. Nothing is off the table. They engage over conversations. In fact, several meetings are held between the two at various levels to pursue many common interests. They agree to disagree on some issues, while sorting out differences with an open mind. They're in a comfort zone that they can walk away from the table with a smile.
The personal leadership style of Sheikh Mohamed and Modi is refreshing when most world leaders harp on differences and talk of disputes. This is what drives the friendship forward.
Modern world leaders have failed to hit it off together as friends and engage in banter away from the politics that engages them. The animosity between Vladimir Putin and former US president Barack Obama was well known.
The steely stares, the cold eyes, and dwindling hopes of millions have been well documented. Bitterness and rancour did both sides more harm than good.
One is reminded of the days of the troika of US president Ronald Reagan, British PM Margaret Thatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev, general secretary of the former Soviet Union, who came together to bring an end to the Cold War and the Iron Curtain that divided them. 'Ronny, Maggie and Gorby', as the media fondly called them, were on opposite sides, but bonded together in the late eighties and early nineties against an ideology that threatened to splinter the world and crush aspirations of the common man and woman for a better life. George W. Bush and German Chacellor Angela Merkel also shared great chemistry, so did Obama and British PM David Cameron.
Sheikh Mohamed and Narendra Modi have changed the way the world looks at the UAE and India and how they do business. In an era of discord, the two leaders are redefining partnership by making it personal. That's why these are ties that bind.
allan@khaleejtimes.com

• India