The India-UAE Joint Committee on Consular Affairs recently concluded its fifth meeting in New Delhi, with both sides engaging in discussions to enhance coordination and cooperation on various consular issues. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the importance of mechanisms to strengthen ties in areas such as labour, visa, migration, citizenship, and extradition.
Led by Muktesh Pardeshi, Secretary (CPV & OIA) of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian delegation met with Khaled Belhoul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE. The meeting emphasized the warm and multi-faceted relationship between India and the UAE, which was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017.
With over 3.5 million Indian citizens residing in the UAE, the two countries have a strong foundation of cooperation in various sectors including political, economic, trade, commerce, defense, cultural, technology, and energy. The UAE delegation provided insights into the measures taken by the government to ensure the welfare of Indian workers in the country.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to citizen-centric consular mechanisms and discussed ways to facilitate visa processes to promote greater people-to-people exchanges. The meeting also focused on the early conclusion of agreements related to migration and mobility, as well as the exchange of statistics and best practices on consular matters.
The outcomes of the meeting will be followed up on and reviewed at the next Consular Dialogue, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi at a mutually convenient date. This ongoing dialogue reflects the shared commitment of India and the UAE to strengthen their consular relations and enhance cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.
The discussions at the fifth meeting of the India-UAE Joint Committee on Consular Affairs underscore the importance of maintaining strong ties between the two countries and ensuring the well-being of their citizens. As both nations continue to work together on consular issues, the partnership between India and the UAE is set to further deepen and expand in the years to come.