India, UAE to deepen cooperation in consular matters

India and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to deepen their collaboration on key consular issues, including facilitating mobility, streamlining extradition processes, and enhancing mutual legal assistance. This agreement was reached during the 7th Joint Committee on Consular Affairs meeting held in New Delhi on Wednesday.

“

The 7th India-UAE Joint Committee on Consular Affairs meeting co-chaired by Secretary (CPV and OIA) Smt. Sripriya Ranganathan and Under Secretary, UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Omar Obaid Mohammed Al Hesn Al Shamsi, was held in New Delhi today. Both sides agreed to continue to deepen bilateral cooperation in all consular matters, including mobility, extradition and mutual legal assistance, in keeping with the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Indian side appreciated the measures being taken to ensure the welfare and well-being of the Indian community in the UAE.

The meeting was co-chaired by Sripriya Ranganathan, Secretary (CPV & OIA) for India, and Omar Obaid Mohammed Al Hesn Al Shamsi, Under Secretary at the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Discussions centered on reinforcing bilateral ties under the framework of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Indian delegation acknowledged and praised the measures implemented by Emirati authorities to ensure the welfare and protect the interests of the significant Indian diaspora residing in the UAE.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared updates on X, stating that both sides committed to continuing their cooperation in all consular matters. This engagement follows a high-level meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on June 16, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France. Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude for the care and concern shown by the UAE government towards the Indian community living there.

“

Had a very good meeting with my brother, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. We discussed India-UAE ties across sectors, and ways to further energise our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Once again expressed gratitude to him and the UAE government for the care and concern for the Indian community living in the UAE.

This consular meeting is part of ongoing high-level interactions between the two nations. The leaders have met personally three times in 2026, with Prime Minister Modi visiting the UAE in May and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visiting India in January. During their meeting in Evian, they assessed progress across various sectors, including technology, trade, investment, energy, and defense. They also exchanged views on critical regional and global dynamics, with Prime Minister Modi emphasizing the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and respect for international law for peace and stability in West Asia. Both nations also called for continued free, safe, and unimpeded navigation and trade through the Strait of Hormuz.

“

Prime Minister Modi underscored the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and respect for international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in advancing enduring peace, security, and stability in the West Asia region. The two sides called for continued free, safe, and unimpeded navigation, trade, and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz