New Delhi [India], April 5 (ANI): Former Indian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sunjay Sudhir, said there is no sign of Indians returning home in large numbers amid the West Asia conflict.
In an interview with ANI, Sudhir praised the UAE’s defence systems, saying that damage has largely been caused by falling debris rather than direct hits from missiles or drones. He also recalled the COVID-19 period to underscore the UAE’s economic resilience.
“The UAE is a robust and resilient economy, so there has never been pressure on people to return. During COVID, Indians did not return in large numbers, though some came back. They come back due to family and other reasons, and then they go back. We have not noticed a trend of people fleeing the country,” he said.
He added that despite Iran reportedly sending more missiles and drones to the UAE than to Israel, Emirati defences have been effective: “The defence mechanism of the UAE has been so strong that what has hurt people or buildings is debris. It’s not the missiles and all. And I think we have to give the country full marks for having the wherewithal to protect infrastructure and people.”
Commenting on incidents of drone debris striking buildings in Dubai, Sudhir noted Dubai’s history of recovery: “The world has seen Dubai bounce back several times. In COVID, when connectivity was shattered, Emirates and Etihad Airlines connected the world. Safety and security are key things people associate with Dubai.”
State broadcaster Press TV reported that the Iranian military launched drone attacks on US military installations in the UAE in retaliation for strikes by the US and Israel. Iran’s army said it deployed Arash 2 drones to strike a radar system used to detect missiles and combat drones, and targeted the UAE’s aluminium industry, which Tehran described as key to regional military logistics. The army also said Arab media reported explosions in Kuwait and the UAE following the strikes.
On Saturday, Dubai authorities confirmed debris from an aerial interception fell on the facade of the Oracle building in Dubai Internet City; no injuries were reported, the Dubai Media Office said. (ANI)
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