Abu Dhabi/Dubai - Ambassador announces new biometric system for visa applicants and new visa facility.
Published: Thu 15 Aug 2019, 4:41 PM
Updated: Sat 17 Aug 2019, 10:54 AM
The Indian government has introduced five-year multiple-entry tourist and business visas for Emirati citizens, a top envoy said on Thursday.
Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri, while marking the 73rd Indian Independence Day at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi announced the new biometric system for visa applicants and the introduction of a new visa facility.
"What this will enable us to do, in keeping with government guidelines, is to readily issue five-year multiple-entry tourist and business visas to any Emirati citizen who lives in this country. This will make it much easier for our Emirati friends who are frequent travellers to India but who often say that they are handicapped by short-term or single-entry visas." The new biometric system will be soon in place at the embassy and Consulate in Dubai.
'Bilateral ties at new high'
The ambassador underlined that the level of the UAE-India ties was at new heights. "Yesterday (Thursday), for the first time ever, the NASDAQ Dubai Stock Exchange invited me to ceremonially ring the bell and open the trading session with the tricolour in the background. The Indian national anthem was sung."
He added, "And when Burj Khalifa will be lit for the third time with Indian colours this evening, it reminds us how far this relationship has travelled in such a short span of time. A lot of credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his own personal friendship with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces."
UPDATE: However, the ambassador tweeted later on Thursday that due to a technical snag, the iconic tower won't light up in India's flag colours.
'All-out effort to help citizens'
Addressing the community members after unfurling Indian flag, he noted that the mission goes the extra mile in trying to find solutions to each issue faced by the citizens.
"We don't have a solution to every problem faced by our businessmen and workers but make full effort to communicate with the government and local authorities, and find a way out. We will leave no stone unturned to make sure that we do our very best within the limits of diplomatic limits. We have an 'Open House' from 9 am to 12.30 pm every working day."
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
Ashwani Kumar
Ashwani Kumar is a versatile journalist who explores every beat in Abu Dhabi with an insatiable curiosity. He loves uncovering stories that are informative and help readers form their own opinions.
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