The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how two friendly countries like the UAE and India can collaborate and coordinate at multiple levels during such an unprecedented crisis. 

Popular leaders of both the nations, top officials have connected several times to discuss how to mitigate the crisis. Abu Dhani Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, spoke to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to each other and discussed the health crisis. The leaders expressed concern over the humanitarian and economic issues caused by the novel coronavirus infection and how they can collaborate to fight back.

Given the backdrop of this global health crisis, the foreign ministers of UAE, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar discussed and reviewed where ties can be further strengthened.

The ministers connected through a video call. The high point of their discussion was the exchange of expertise to combat the disease and the use of technology to detect the virus. The two senior-most diplomats also offered condolences over COVID - related fatalities in UAE and India. They also called for joint action to fight the virus outbreak.

The UAE minister Sheikh Abdullah hailed India's support to UAE with dispatching healthcare professionals to contain the pandemic. He shared how the medical team not only helped manage the pandemic but also participated in the UAE Volunteers campaign.

Ever since the pandemic broke out, both Emirati-Indian sides successfully collaborated to repatriate their nationals, exchanged scientific findings and medical expertise, and supported medical aid delivery.

In May, about 350 Indian citizens could be brought back due to coordination between the Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indian Consulate in Dubai.

The Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Pavan Kapoor, shared that the UAE Ministry facilitated the return of Indian national through the UAE's airports. He lauded the efforts taken by Emirati health authorities to ensure all departing passengers are COVID-free before departing for home.

UAE also sent seven metric tonners of medical aid to India to combat the deadly virus.

Extending bilateral support to each other, India also exported hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to treat Emirati patients.

WAM