India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reiterated their dedication to safeguarding the safety, dignity, and welfare of their respective citizens residing in each other’s nations. This affirmation was made during the 7th Meeting of the India-UAE Joint Committee on Consular Affairs (JCCA) held in New Delhi on July 22. The meeting, co-chaired by Sripriya Ranganathan and Omar Obaid Mohammed Alhesan Alshamsi, focused on various consular issues, labor, mobility-related matters, and extradition.
Technical-level discussions preceded the JCCA meeting, addressing consular issues, labor concerns, and extradition and mutual legal assistance matters between India and the UAE. Additionally, efforts were made to integrate India’s DigiLocker with UAE platforms for seamless authentication of Indian academic degrees and documents. This integration aims to benefit Indian professionals in the UAE, enhancing economic and educational opportunities for them.
The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the broad spectrum of warm and cooperative relations between India and the UAE. These relations encompass economic, political, defense, technology, cultural, and energy cooperation, underpinned by the significant Indian community of 4.5 million in the UAE. Both countries have seen an upward trajectory in their relations under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
Alhesan Alshamsi emphasized the significance of high-level visits and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in expanding cooperation and fostering development and prosperity for both nations. He underscored the pivotal role of people-to-people ties in the bilateral relationship, noting the Indian community’s contributions to the UAE’s progress and the growing number of UAE nationals visiting India for tourism, education, and medical purposes.
