Abu Dhabi, Aug 12 (IANS) Leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have greeted President Pratibha Patil ahead of India’s 61st Independence Day Aug 15. UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a congratulatory cable to President Patil, the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported Tuesday.

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Gen. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan have also sent their greetings to the Indian President in separate messages.

The UAE is home to around 1.5 million expatriate Indians.