Crown Prince Khaled Bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday became the third generation of the UAE’s ruling family to plant a sapling at Rajghat, the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
In 1992, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and first president of the UAE, planted a Cassia Fistula (Amaltas) sapling during his visit to India. His son, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, now the UAE president, continued the tradition in 2016 by planting a Mimusops Elengi (Molshri) sapling at Rajghat.
On Monday, Sheikh Khaled planted an Amaltas sapling, marking a continuation of this family tradition. It was the first time in Rajghat’s history that three generations of leaders from the same nation have planted trees in honor of Mahatma Gandhi, according to officials.
This gesture also underscores the deepening ties between India and the UAE. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the significance of the event in a post on X, noting that Sheikh Khaled’s act reflects the “India-UAE sustainability connection and Mahatma Gandhi’s universal teachings.”
The sustainability partnership is a crucial aspect of the growing relationship between the two countries, officials said.
Sheikh Khaled also observed a moment of silence and laid a wreath at the memorial, paying tribute to Gandhi’s contributions to India’s independence and development. He also tended to the trees planted by his grandfather, Sheikh Zayed, and his father, Sheikh Mohamed.
Expressing pride in the shared bonds between the two nations, Sheikh Khaled emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to foster growth and strengthen bilateral ties.
In the guestbook, Sheikh Khaled wrote: “Mahatma Gandhi will forever be remembered for his sacrifices in promoting the values of love and peace. Similarly, our Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, spread these same noble values worldwide through his legacy of generosity and humanitarian action.”
Rajghat, where Gandhi was cremated on January 31, 1948, has long been a site for visiting heads of state to honor his legacy by planting a sapling. Since 1950, nearly 200 saplings have been planted by foreign dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II, former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev.
