Following the death of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Indian government declared a one-day state mourning on Saturday.

“His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi has passed away. As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, the Government of India has decided that there will be one day’s state mourning tomorrow throughout India,” Union home ministry said in a statement.

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There will be no official entertainment and the national flag will be displayed at half-mast on all buildings where it is flown regularly.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, died on Friday at the age of 73 after a long struggle with sickness, initiating a period of mourning and a turnover of power in the oil-rich Gulf state.

Sheikh Khalifa, who presided over the UAE’s skyrocketing fortunes but was rarely seen in public, is expected to be replaced by his half-brother, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, who was already regarded as the country’s de facto ruler.

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The world’s tallest building, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, was renamed when Sheikh Khalifa bailed out the debt-ridden emirate when the global financial crisis struck in 2009.

The UAE has declared a 40-day period of mourning, with flags flying at half-mast beginning Friday and work prohibited in the public and private sectors for the first three days.

Funeral prayers were scheduled for later that day.

As condolences came in from throughout the world, US President Joe Biden spoke to Sheikh Khalifa as “a true partner and friend of the United States.”

Lebanon, Kuwait, and neighbouring Oman have all declared three days of national mourning.

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In November 2004, Sheikh Khalifa became the UAE’s second president, succeeding his father as the 16th ruler of Abu Dhabi, the richest of the federation’s seven emirates.