After three and a half years, Consul General Sanjay Verma is getting ready to leave Dubai for a new high profile position.
While there hasn’t been official word on the matter yet, diplomatic sources in Dubai say Verma is heading to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he will head the Indian delegation at the African Union (AU). India is among a host of non-African states and regional integration and international organisations accredited to the body.
This comes amid gross expansion of India’s economic, political and strategic footprint on the African continent through major investments. A leading initiative has also been the establishment of the Africa-India Partnership Forum in 2008, strengthening the relationship between the two sides, with India aiding African growth and development goals, among which is the Millennium Development Goals.
According to statement from the AU, “The Africa-India partnership has potential for expansion and for evolving into an effective partnership. Commitments made under it are capable of delivering substantial benefits to the peoples of the two sides, as they have been backed with concrete projects and earmarked funding.”
The Indian Consulate in Dubai has neither confirmed nor denied that Verma will be posted to the AU. A spokesperson tells GN Focus, “It is a little premature to discuss Mr Verma’s next posting considering that no official announcement of his accreditation has been released by the Government of India.”
The AU has also not commented on the matter.
Of his tenure in Dubai, Verma says: “The India-UAE bilateral relationship is all about big numbers complemented by people-to-people linkages and cultural affinity. I have derived some satisfaction in furthering the economic and commercial ties, including trade and investments. Bettering the consular experience and furthering the consulate’s outreach through community-centric initiatives such as the Indian Workers’ Resource Centre have been something to be proud of.
“I have always felt that the Indian community here is probably the best Indian expatriate community anywhere in the world,” he says in an email interview. “I wish them well as they contribute to two great countries even while celebrating their diversity and togetherness.”
Verma says Dubai is one of the world’s finest cities. “Its diversity and pace keeps you always on your feet. At the same time there are very few places such as Dubai or the UAE, so I will have to reinvent myself in my next assignment.”
Anurag Bhushan will succeed Verma as the 14th Consul General of India in Dubai since 1973.
