Nationals warned not to travel with Thuraya phones to India

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on UAE nationals travelling to India not to enter the country carrying any satellite communication devices such as Thuraya and Iridium.

Ambassador Eisa Abdullah Masoud Al Kalbani, Director of the Department of Nationals’ Affairs at the UAE Foreign Affairs Ministry, stated yesterday (Wednesday) that the Indian Government had banned the use of satellite communication devices on Indian soil, and subject individuals in possession of said devices to legal accountability. This applies to both the holder of the device and the recipient if, for example, devices are sent through postal or similar services.

The regulation comes under Section 6 of the Indian Wireless Act and Section 20 of the Indian Telegraph Act.

Indian authorities have stated that the ban also applies to Indian waters even if landfall is not made.

The ambassador added that the warning from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stems from its duty to provide all necessary advice and warnings to protect UAE nationals from violations, accidental or otherwise, or of being subjected to security accountability or any trouble or hindrance they might encounter abroad.