THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: UAE ambassador Dr Ahmed Al Banna called on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ahead of Sharjah ruler Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi’s visit to the state.The ambassador expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the state to welcome the ruler. The visit will further strengthen the ties between Kerala and UAE, he said.
“UAE has a 30 lakh-strong Indian population, mostly Keralites. UAE’s relations with Kerala are centuries old. Commercial relations between India and the Gulf countries started in Kerala. A UAE consulate was opened in the state considering the warm relations between Kerala and the UAE,” he said.