Dubai, April 12 -- Highlighting the deep-rooted ties and the welfare of the nearly 3.5 million-strong Indian diaspora, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday conveyed a special message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, thanking the Gulf nation for its support to the Indian community during a "very difficult period."

The External Affairs Minister, who is on an official visit to the UAE, held a series of high-level meetings with the top leadership, including the President, the Crown Prince of Dubai Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The visit comes against the backdrop of the ongoing intense conflict in West Asia, with Jaishankar emphas...