The fifth session of the Joint Committee on Consular Affairs between India and the UAE convened in New Delhi, featuring extensive discussions on bolstering coordination and collaboration concerning consular matters encompassing labor, visas, migration, citizenship, and extradition, among others, as per the Ministry of External Affairs.
Led by Muktesh Pardeshi, Secretary (CPV & OIA) of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian delegation participated in the meeting held in the national capital on Tuesday, while the UAE delegation was headed by Khaled Belhoul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.
The enduring relationship between India and the UAE, elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017, spans various domains of cooperation, including political, economic, trade, defense, cultural, technological, and energy, with a significant emphasis on people-to-people ties, as highlighted in the MEA release. UAE, home to over 3.5 million Indian citizens, the largest Indian expatriate community, provided a comprehensive overview of measures ensuring the welfare of Indian workers in the country.
Both parties reaffirmed their dedication to advancing citizen-centric consular mechanisms and explored avenues for enhancing visa facilitation to promote increased people-to-people exchanges, along with expediting agreements pertaining to migration and mobility. Additionally, the meeting yielded agreements for regular data exchange on citizens and sharing best practices on consular affairs.
The parties committed to implementing the decisions reached during the meeting and undertaking a review during the subsequent Consular Dialogue scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi at a mutually convenient time.