UAE Ambassador Abdulnasser Alshaali praises India’s role in Gulf crisis, highlights PM Modi’s diplomacy, warns against Iran attacks, affirms UAE sovereignty, stability and operational readiness, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Abdulnasser Alshaali, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India, has praised New Delhi’s role in the ongoing West Asia crisis, highlighting that India’s deep regional engagement and constructive diplomatic tradition gives significant credibility to its voice.
Speaking exclusively to IANS, Alshaali noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s telephonic conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was widely seen as a gesture of solidarity, reflecting the close ties both leaders have developed over more than a decade.
“India’s role in this crisis has already been greatly appreciated. Prime Minister Modi was among the first world leaders to call His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan after the attacks began. That call was received as an act of brotherhood and a reflection of the personal bond between two leaders who have built this partnership together for over more than a decade,” he said.
Alshaali added that India’s co-sponsorship of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 alongside 135 nations sent a “powerful message that the international community will not tolerate attacks on state sovereignty or the deliberate targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure.”
On rising tensions in the Gulf amid the Iran-Israel war, Alshaali said that since February 28, Iran had subjected the UAE and its neighbours to a sustained campaign of “terrorist aggression.” As of March 29, he reported, Iran had launched 414 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,914 drones targeting the UAE — more than all other countries combined.
“What is particularly troubling is that these attacks have not been directed at states engaged in conflict with Iran, but at its neighbours, including countries that have worked consistently to avoid escalation,” he said.
Alshaali stressed that the UAE has exercised “deliberate, calibrated, and strategic restraint” throughout the crisis but retains its “full and legitimate right under the UN Charter to deter aggression and defend its sovereignty.” He added that the UAE would take all necessary measures to protect its territory while ensuring the safety of citizens and residents.
“Iran has deliberately launched missiles and drones toward civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, airports, and other civilian facilities. These attacks have caused loss of life and injuries, which is entirely unacceptable and unlawful. At the same time, the UAE Armed Forces have demonstrated exceptional operational readiness, successfully defending the country’s airspace and territory with professionalism and precision,” he said.
Despite the attacks, Alshaali emphasised that the situation in the UAE remains stable, with national institutions operating at full capacity, critical sectors functioning without disruption, and daily life continuing as normal.
“Our approach has always been toward diplomacy. However, diplomacy requires reciprocity. Iran cannot launch missiles at gas and oil fields and civilian infrastructure while simultaneously claiming to seek peace. The UAE’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of everyone on its soil are non-negotiable,” the ambassador said.
