India-UAE partnership deepens amid shifting regional dynamics
Abu Dhabi/New Delhi, April 29 The bilateral partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates is likely to deepen, reflecting strong alignment and shared understanding amid the West Asia crisis.
This growing trust is also evident in the recent official remarks of Emirati leadership, a report said on Wednesday.
The UAE Ambassador to India, Abdulnasser Alshaali, during the tensions in West Asia noted that Indians in the UAE are "considered family by the leadership of this country", adding that "your family in the UAE is not alone", highlighting the strong societal and strategic bonds between the two countries.
According to a report in the think tank 'Politeia Research Foundation', this characterisation goes beyond conventional diplomacy and reflects a partnership based on mutual trust, interdependence, and long-term stability.
"Amid a fragile ceasefire, all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have suffered Iranian missile and drone attacks, but the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has suffered the most. It has borne the brunt and suffered significant damage. Yet when peace talks were held in Islamabad, its interests were not adequately taken into account-as if it did not exist or matter in the broader diplomatic calculus," the report detailed.
The report stated that during the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran - when the UAE came under attack from Iranian missiles and drones - Pakistan appeared to express greater sympathy towards Iran. Through its statements and actions during the conflict, Islamabad was seen as indirectly endorsing Iran's position rather than recognising the UAE's security concerns.
"This created frustration in the Emirates. In response, it reportedly asked Pakistan to repay around $3.5 billion that it had previously lent. This frustration was also evident in the reactions of UAE-based experts and commentators on social media, many of whom openly criticised Pakistan's stance," it mentioned.
The report highlighted that New Delhi stayed in close contact with the Emirates throughout this period, with the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visiting the UAE to convey India's message of support and solidarity following the ceasefire announcement.
During the visit, he met with the Emirati leadership and held discussions on regional security, energy stability, and the wider implications of the conflict.
The report noted that India emphasised strong focus on the safety and welfare of the large Indian diaspora in the UAE, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to continued stability and strengthening of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
"India consistently condemned the attacks on the UAE and other GCC countries, reiterating that their sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. India also co-sponsored a United Nations Security Council resolution that strongly condemned Iran's egregious attacks on Gulf countries, reaffirmed their sovereignty, and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, further underscoring its clear diplomatic support for the UAE during the crisis," it added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting how the UAE asked Pakistan to repay those billions during the crisis. Diplomacy has real-world financial consequences, and it's smart for India to stay neutral on some fronts while being solid with the Gulf states that host millions of Indians.
As someone who has family working in Dubai, this news reassures me greatly. The UAE's leadership calling Indians 'family' is not just PR - we've seen how they handled Covid, evacuations, and business relations. But we must also ensure India does not become over-dependent on any one region for energy security. A balanced approach is key. 🤔
Good to see India maintaining principled positions - condemning attacks on UAE's sovereignty while also not getting dragged into unnecessary conflicts. This is how a responsible global power behaves. And the UAE clearly values this maturity. 🎯
One minor concern though - India must be careful not to alienate Iran entirely given our energy needs and the Chabahar port project. It's a delicate balancing act, but our diplomats seem to be handling it well so far. Let's hope the strategic partnership with UAE remains win-win for both sides.
U Uday K (via email) Respect where it's due - our External Affairs Minister made a timely visit, not just a phone call. The UAE stood by us during our crises too, like the evacuation from Sudan last year. This is a relationship built on genuine give-and-take, not just transactional deals. We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.