Delhi Talks Advance Consular Cooperation Between India and United Arab Emirates

The seventh session of the Joint Consular Committee between India and the United Arab Emirates was held in New Delhi on July 23, marking another milestone in the two nations’ diplomatic partnership. The meeting was jointly chaired by India’s Secretary for CPV and OIA, Shripriya Rangnathan, and UAE’s Under‑Secretary Umar Obaid Mohammad Al Hasan Alshamsi.

Delegates examined issues ranging from the operation of visa centres and legal aid to the broader welfare of the roughly 4.5 million Indians living in the UAE. The dialogue reinforced the growing interdependence of India and the UAE across economic, strategic and cultural dimensions, with leaders Narendra Modi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed receiving commendation for fostering this progress.

Technical discussions preceded the plenary, concentrating on mutual legal assistance, repatriation procedures and the synchronization of India’s DigiLocker with the UAE’s verification platform. This digital bridge is intended to streamline the authentication of Indian academic degrees and other official documents, facilitating smoother employment and educational opportunities for Indian expatriates.

The committee reviewed the advances made since the prior meeting in Abu Dhabi in November 2025 and resolved to maintain a schedule of monthly reviews, supplemented by ad‑hoc technical meetings as required. Both governments restated their dedication to ensuring the safety, dignity and prosperity of each other’s citizens abroad.

The next JCCA gathering is slated for a mutually agreeable date in Abu Dhabi, continuing the trajectory of enhanced consular collaboration.