The sixth meeting of the India–UAE Joint Committee on Consular Affairs (JCCA) was held in Delhi on Wednesday, reflecting the strong and growing ties between the two countries. The Indian delegation was led by Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs, while the UAE side was headed by Omar Obaid AlHesan AlShamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussions followed technical-level meetings between the two sides.
The meeting, held in a spirit of traditional warmth and cooperation, underscored the depth of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE. Both delegations highlighted the role of leadership in shaping bilateral relations, with India citing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the UAE pointing to the guidance of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
India expressed appreciation for the support extended by the UAE authorities towards the welfare of the large Indian community residing in the country. The community was recognised as a vital link in strengthening bilateral relations, and both sides reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of their citizens living in each other’s countries.
During the meeting, delegations reviewed progress since the previous JCCA meeting held in New Delhi in May 2024. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation across consular, visa, and legal domains. Experiences and best practices from both sides were shared, leading to tangible progress in key areas, including improved information flow, faster cooperation on mutual legal assistance and extradition cases, a gradual liberalisation of visa policies, and the establishment of an institutionalised review mechanism to streamline consular processes.
The two countries also agreed to hold the seventh meeting of the JCCA in India on mutually convenient dates in 2026, signalling continued engagement and strengthened cooperation in consular matters.