UAE Frees Over 900 Indian Prisoners Ahead of National Day
The United Arab Emirates has ordered the release of more than 900 Indian nationals from its prisons as a humanitarian gesture ahead of its 52nd National Day. The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi confirmed the move, expressing deep appreciation for the UAE government’s consistent support.
Key Takeaways
- The UAE government has ordered the release of over 900 Indian prisoners.
- The gesture coincides with the UAE’s 52nd National Day celebrations on December 2.
- This follows similar prisoner releases in 2021 and 2022.
- The UAE hosts an Indian expatriate community of approximately 3.5 million.
Embassy Expresses Gratitude
In a post on social media platform X, the Indian embassy stated: “We thank the UAE government for the release of 900 Indian prisoners ahead of the UAE’s 52nd National Day.” It added, “We deeply appreciate the UAE government’s humanitarian gesture and consistent support provided to Indian nationals in the UAE.”
A Recurring Humanitarian Gesture
This marks the third consecutive year the Gulf nation has freed Indian detainees on its National Day. In both 2022 and 2021, the UAE released 572 Indian prisoners under similar circumstances. The embassy has not disclosed specific details regarding the charges against those being released this year.
Significance of UAE National Day
The UAE celebrates its National Day on December 2, commemorating the 1971 unification of the seven emirates into a single federation. The prisoner release is seen as a goodwill measure aligned with the celebratory spirit.
Strong Bilateral Ties
The move underscores the strong diplomatic and people-to-people ties between the two nations. The UAE is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas globally, with an estimated 3.5 million Indian expatriates residing and working there.
