India has enjoyed traditionally warm and strong ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), home to more than 2.5 million Indians. Over the past several months there has been an upswing in bilateral ties, especially since PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the country in 2015 when the two sides entered into a Strategic Partnership. This year the Crown Prince of UAE and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the Emirates Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be the Chief Guest of the Indian Republic Day celebrations. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, is one of the best known faces and perhaps, one of the most articulate leaders in the UAE government. A PhD from UK’s King’s College and a graduate of Political Science from the US’s George Washington University, Gargash joined the government in 2006 after a decade long stint in the UAE University faculty. In this interview with Pranay Sharma, he spoke about the growing India-UAE ties, the ongoing wars in Syria and Yemen, the challenge posed by the Islamic State and UAE’s relations with Iran. The interview: