Dr. Deepak Mittal IFS (1998) has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the United Arab Emirates.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced the appointment of Dr. Deepak Mittal, a distinguished 1998-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, as India’s next Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Dr. Mittal’s career reflects an impressive blend of diplomatic expertise, policy acumen, and the ability to handle some of India’s most sensitive foreign policy challenges with maturity and discretion. He will take over from Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir, who is set to retire in September 2025.
Who is IFS Dr. Deepak Mittal | Dr. Mittal brings to the post a wealth of experience across diverse assignments, both at headquarters in New Delhi and in Indian missions abroad. Notably, he has served twice in the Prime Minister’s Office under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he contributed to shaping key aspects of India’s foreign policy and global engagements. His tenure in the PMO gave him direct exposure to high-level decision-making, making him adept at managing complex bilateral and multilateral negotiations.
Between 2020 and 2022, Dr. Mittal served as India’s Ambassador to Qatar, a strategically significant posting given Qatar’s role in energy security and its geopolitical position in West Asia. During this period, he was entrusted with one of the most delicate assignments of his career—establishing India’s first formal diplomatic contact with the Taliban in the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The discussions, held in Doha, were pivotal in safeguarding India’s interests and ensuring the security of Indian nationals in the region. This episode underlined his capacity for quiet but effective diplomacy in high-pressure situations.
Beyond Afghanistan, Dr. Mittal has represented India with distinction at various international forums, often defending Indian positions on sensitive matters. His ability to combine firmness with tact has earned him respect among peers and counterparts. His diplomatic interventions have consistently reflected India’s growing global stature, balancing national interests with a commitment to international cooperation.
The UAE, where Dr. Mittal will soon take charge, is one of India’s closest partners in West Asia. The two countries share multifaceted ties encompassing trade, investment, energy, security, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Home to over 3.5 million Indian nationals, the Emirates hosts one of the largest Indian expatriate communities in the world. It is also a vital energy supplier, a key investor in India’s infrastructure and technology sectors, and an increasingly important partner in regional security frameworks.
Diplomatic ties between India and the UAE, formally established in 1972, have reached unprecedented heights in the past decade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to the Emirates in 2015—the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades—set the stage for a new era of cooperation. Since then, relations have deepened across strategic, economic, and cultural dimensions. Dr. Mittal will step into this role at a time when the bilateral relationship is at its peak, requiring careful stewardship to expand its scope even further.
Recent high-level engagements underscore the importance of this partnership. In February 2024, Prime Minister Modi visited Abu Dhabi to inaugurate the BAPS Hindu Mandir, a symbol of interfaith harmony and India’s vibrant cultural ties with the UAE. This was his seventh visit to the country in just nine years, reflecting the priority accorded to the relationship. The Prime Minister’s earlier participation at COP-28 in Dubai in December 2023 also highlighted the shared commitment of both nations to global climate action.
Dr. Mittal’s appointment is, therefore, both timely and strategic. With his proven track record in handling delicate negotiations and his deep understanding of India’s West Asia policy, he is well-positioned to advance the partnership into new domains. His experience in crisis diplomacy, coupled with his ability to build long-term institutional frameworks, will serve as an asset in consolidating India’s position in the UAE.
Respected by colleagues for his diligence and admired for his calm composure, Dr. Mittal exemplifies the qualities of a modern diplomat—strategic foresight, cultural sensitivity, and pragmatic execution. As he assumes charge in Abu Dhabi, expectations will be high, but so too is the confidence that he will strengthen the already robust India-UAE relationship. His posting is a recognition not only of his personal capabilities but also of India’s intent to continue investing in a partnership that is central to its foreign policy vision.
INdianbureaucracy.com wishes Dr. Deepak Mittal the very best.