ABU DHABI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince held talks over the phone on Thursday, the UAE’s state news agency WAM reported. They discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and expand their horizons in light of the overall strategic partnership between the two countries as well as a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest. Prime Minister Modi and Sheikh Mohamed Mohamed bin Zayed exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments. They also reviewed the latest progress on COVID-19 in the two countries and globally in addition to the effective cooperation between the UAE and India in fighting the virus and exchanging expertise in this regard. During the conversation, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed congratulated India"s prime minister on the Republic Day marked on Jan. 26 and wished further development, stability and prosperity for the friendly people of India. Sheikh Mohamed emphasized the strong UAE-Indian ties in various fields, and the UAE"s keenness on developing them for the benefit of the two countries and peoples, especially in the economic, trade, technology, energy, and other domains. In turn, Prime Minister Modi thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for his good wishes on Republic Day, pointing to India"s great interest in boosting ties with the UAE and investing the available opportunities in view of these relations in various fields. — SG