UAE and India hold 6th Joint Consular Committee meeting to enhance consular cooperation, visa services and legal support.
ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of India convened their sixth Joint Committee on Consular Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 26 November 2025. The UAE delegation was led by H.E. Omar Obaid AlHesan AlShamsi, Under‑Secretary for Consular Affairs, while the Indian delegation was headed by Shri Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa & Overseas Indian Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs. UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the event in an official press release.
Both parties reaffirmed their strong bilateral ties and commitment to protecting the welfare, dignity and legal rights of citizens residing in the other country. The meeting reviewed achievements since the last session in New Delhi (May 2024) and agreed on further cooperation across key consular domains.
Main agenda items included enhancing information exchange and consular access, speeding up mutual legal‑assistance and extradition processes, liberalising visa policies, and creating an institutional review mechanism to track progress.
On the sidelines, the Indian delegation visited the UAE’s globally‑unique “Smart Mission” consular model — an integrated digital system using AI and advanced technology to modernise consular services globally.
The 6th JCCA meeting underscores the deep and dynamic partnership between UAE and India, signalling a shared commitment to adapt consular cooperation to modern mobility, migration, and global citizen needs.
