Question: Who will be the chief guest for the 2017 Republic Day of India?
(a) Ashraf Ghani
(b) Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
(c) Vladimir Putin
(d) Barack Obama
Ans: (b)
Related facts:
- According to tweet posted by official spokeperson, Ministry of External Affairs on 2 October 2016 the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be the chief guest for the 68th Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2017.
- This is his second visit to India, earlier he came on a three-day-visit in February 2016.
- Previous instances of dignitaries from the Gulf region invited as chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations include Iranian president Mohammed Khatami in 2003 and the Saudi king King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud in 2006.
- This acceptance of the invitation by Sheikh Al Nahyan, who is also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE armed forces, sends out an important message at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are escalating.
- In 2016 French President Francois Hollande was the chief guest on the occasion and in 2015 US President Barack Obama was the chief guest.
Reference:
https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/782565906090041344?lang=hi
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/abu-dhabi-crown-prince-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-to-be-chief-guest-on-republic-day/articleshow/54643505.cms
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/king-abdullah-republic-day-chief-guest/article3241151.ece