India And UAE Strengthen Consular Partnership With Fresh Cooperation Measures

India and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday agreed to further strengthen cooperation in consular matters, including mobility, extradition and mutual legal assistance, during the seventh meeting of the Joint Committee on Consular Affairs held in New Delhi. The discussions were aimed at enhancing coordination under the broader India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The meeting was co-chaired by Sripriya Ranganathan, Secretary for Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs (CPV and OIA) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Omar Obaid Mohammed Al Hesan Al Shamsi, Under Secretary at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and agreed to continue working together on issues affecting citizens of both countries.

During the talks, the Indian side appreciated the steps taken by UAE authorities to ensure the welfare and well-being of the large Indian community residing in the Gulf nation. The two countries discussed ways to improve consular support systems and address matters related to citizens living and working across borders.

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The latest discussions come amid continued high-level engagement between India and the UAE. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan recently met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France’s Evian, where they reviewed progress in bilateral ties and discussed ways to further expand cooperation in areas such as technology, trade, investment, energy and defence.

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, with India emphasising the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both sides called for maintaining free, safe and uninterrupted navigation, trade and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains important for regional and global economic activity.

India and the UAE have continued to deepen their strategic partnership through regular leadership-level interactions and expanding economic cooperation. Prime Minister Modi has also invited President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to attend the BRICS Summit to be hosted by India later this year, reflecting the growing importance of bilateral ties on regional and international platforms.

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