India's ambassador-designate Lokesh keen to take ties forward

Abu Dhabi: M.K. Lokesh, India's ambassador-designate to the UAE, said he will give equal importance to the welfare of the Indian community and to strengthening diplomatic relations with the UAE.

The political and economic ties between the UAE and India have been excellent, he said in an informal talk with Gulf News after taking charge as the ambassador-designate on Monday.

Lokesh said he was waiting to submit his credentials to the UAE government to begin his formal diplomatic assignment.

One of the backbones of India-UAE relations is the largest Indian community in the UAE, he said. "Naturally, the welfare of the community becomes the Indian mission's priority, along with strengthening diplomatic relations".

Amendments

He said he was expecting certain amendments in rules [to be made by the Indian government] related to community welfare fund at the embassy to expand its potential for the benefit of the community.

"I was told that, at the moment its use had been restricted [by rules] to a few things only; so we [the Indian missions abroad] have requested the Government of India to amend the rules to expand the provisions to spend the fund," Lokesh explained.

He said economic relations could be expanded further. "We can promote mutual flow of investments in several sectors."

India seeks UAE investments in India for setting up more oil refineries. "Indian businesses can also increase their investments in the UAE," he said. Several Indian educational institutions have opened branches in Dubai, but those relations can be further expanded, Lokesh added.

India and the UAE can also join the international attempts to end piracy off the coast of Somalia, he said.

Lokesh, who hails from Mysore in Karnataka state, was the deputy chief of mission at the Indian embassy in Brussels. A 1977 graduate of the Indian Foreign Service, he was ambassador to Slovakia earlier.