New Delhi: The Government of India has appointed senior diplomat Dr. Deepak Mittal (IFS:1998) as the next Ambassador of India to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The announcement was made by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday.
Dr. Mittal is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and will soon assume charge at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, succeeding Sunjay Sudhir (IFS:1993), who has held the position since 2021.
MEA Confirms High-Profile Appointment
In an official statement, the MEA said, “Dr. Deepak Mittal (IFS:1998) has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the United Arab Emirates. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly.”
Dr. Mittal’s appointment comes at a critical juncture in India-UAE relations, which have grown significantly over the last decade, evolving into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
A Diplomat with Proven Expertise
Dr. Mittal brings over 25 years of diplomatic experience, having previously served in key positions in India’s foreign missions, including Qatar, Israel, and Canada, along with strategic roles at the Ministry of External Affairs and the PMO.
His expertise in political negotiations, trade facilitation, and regional diplomacy positions him well to lead India’s engagement with the UAE – a nation that is not only a key energy partner but also a critical trade and investment hub for India in the Gulf region.
India-UAE Ties: A Strategic and Cultural Alliance
India and the UAE have shared strong diplomatic and economic relations since 1972. The partnership gained unprecedented momentum following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to the UAE in 2015 – the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades.
Since then, PM Modi has made five visits to the UAE, the latest being in December 2023 for the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. In return, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) has also made multiple high-level visits to India, including participation in the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi and the 2024 Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.
Key Areas of Collaboration
Dr. Mittal’s appointment is expected to deepen collaboration between the two nations in the following areas–
- Energy security and renewable energy
- Defense cooperation and maritime security
- Climate action and sustainability
- Trade and investment under the India-UAE CEPA
- Diaspora welfare and labor reforms
His leadership is likely to reinforce bilateral cooperation under the framework of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a special focus on regional stability and multilateral coordination.
What This Means for Bilateral Diplomacy
Dr. Mittal’s arrival in Abu Dhabi marks a new chapter in India’s diplomatic engagement with the UAE, particularly as both nations continue to collaborate on global issues like climate change, food security, and clean energy transition.
Given his track record in high-level negotiations and policy formulation, Dr. Mittal is well-positioned to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor and drive strategic outcomes in alignment with India’s foreign policy objectives.
