The award, which is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, acquires special significance as it is being awarded to Modi in the birth centenary year of Sheikh Zayed. This comes despite Pakistan's anti-India rhetoric following India's decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution that gave special status to J&K.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/despite-paks-anti-india-rhetoric-uae-to-confer-highest-civilian-award-to-pm-modi-today/articleshow/70814331.cms