Indian Ambassador to UAE hails growing strategic partnership and joint stance against terrorism
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have undergone a significant shift in their approach to terrorism since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, recognising terrorism as a common threat requiring collective action, according to Sunjay Sudhir, India’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, reported business-standard.com.
Ambassador Sudhir praised the UAE’s prompt and clear condemnation of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, citing deeper cooperation and stronger diplomatic ties in countering terrorism.
Speaking to PTI, Sudhir highlighted the positive reception received by the recent all-party Indian parliamentary delegation, led by MP Shrikant Shinde, during their visit to the UAE. He described the two-day engagement as a “very successful” outreach that underlined the strategic depth of India-UAE relations.
“The way our thoughts and perspectives were received showed that the UAE is a true strategic partner. The GCC’s response to recent terror attacks, particularly post-Pahalgam, contrasts sharply with their stance after the 2008 Mumbai attacks,” Sudhir noted.
The envoy emphasized that the leadership of GCC nations — including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar — is now more actively engaged in condemning terrorism. He singled out the UAE as one of the first to issue a categorical statement against the Pahalgam attack, reinforcing its resolve to fight terrorism in all forms.
India’s growing assertiveness in diplomacy was reflected in PM Modi’s stern warning to Pakistan and in the success of Operation Sindoor, the envoy added.
The all-party delegation met key Emirati leaders, including Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister for Tolerance and Coexistence, and Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chair of the Federal National Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Sudhir said the discussions further solidified the mutual commitment to counter-terrorism efforts.
The envoy also pointed to broader strategic developments between India and the UAE. Trade between the two nations crossed $100 billion in FY 2024-25, surpassing set targets. He highlighted the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a transformative project, with implementation steps already in motion.
Digital and financial cooperation is also advancing, with the UAE adopting India’s RuPay platform and bilateral local currency trade settlement gaining momentum.
“We’re testing a proof of concept for IMEC, which may materialise within a month,” Sudhir said, adding that the partnership now extends to digital payments, clean energy, and data flow facilitation.
