Veteran PMO Official to Steer Bilateral Relations Amid a Phase of Strategic Expansion
The Government of India has announced the appointment of senior diplomat Dr. Deepak Mittal (IFS: 1998) as the next Ambassador of India to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made the official announcement on Tuesday.
Dr. Mittal, who currently serves as Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), will soon assume charge at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi. He will succeed Sunjay Sudhir (IFS: 1993), who has been serving as India’s envoy to the UAE 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 elevation comes at a critical moment in India-UAE relations, which have advanced rapidly in the last decade, transforming into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that spans trade, energy, technology, and security.
A Diplomat of Proven Caliber
With more than 25 years of diplomatic experience, Dr. Mittal brings a distinguished record of service in both bilateral and multilateral spheres. He has held important assignments in Qatar, Israel, and Canada, in addition to occupying senior roles at the MEA and the Prime Minister’s Office.
His depth of expertise in political negotiations, economic diplomacy, and regional affairs uniquely positions him to lead India’s diplomatic mission in the UAE—a nation that has become not only a vital energy partner but also a major trade, investment, and financial hub for India in the Gulf region.
India-UAE Relations: A Strategic and Cultural Partnership
India and the UAE have enjoyed enduring diplomatic and economic ties since 1972. These relations witnessed a historic breakthrough with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to the UAE in 2015—the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades.
Since then, Prime Minister Modi has visited the UAE five times, most recently in December 2023 for the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai. In reciprocity, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) has also visited India on multiple occasions, including his participation in the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi and the 2024 Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.
Key Areas of Cooperation
Dr. Mittal is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple domains, including:
Energy security and renewable energy initiatives
Defence collaboration and maritime security in the Gulf and Indian Ocean
Climate action and sustainability partnerships
Trade and investment growth under the India-UAE CEPA framework
Diaspora welfare and labor reforms for India’s expatriate community in the UAE
Significance of the Appointment
Dr. Mittal’s appointment represents both continuity and renewal in India’s engagement with the UAE. His leadership is anticipated to consolidate gains made under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reinforce regional stability, and enhance cooperation on multilateral platforms.
As both nations increasingly coordinate on pressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, energy transition, and counter-terrorism, Dr. Mittal’s diplomatic acumen and high-level policy experience will be instrumental in shaping outcomes.
With his proven track record of strategic negotiation and policy formulation, Dr. Mittal is poised to build upon the solid foundation laid by his predecessor, guiding the next phase of India-UAE relations in alignment with New Delhi’s broader foreign policy vision.
