Outgoing Indian ambassador Navdeep Singh Suri to leave UAE today

Dubai - Pawan Kapoor, who last served as the Indian ambassador to Israel, will replace him soon.

 The outgoing Indian ambassador to the UAE, Navdeep Singh Suri, said that if given a chance to turn back time, he would make the same choice and become a diplomat all over again.
"Honestly, there are plenty of jobs in which you can make money, but there is only one where you have the privilege of serving a great country like India and fly the flag. If I had to make the choice again, I would still make the same choice," Suri told Khaleej Times in a farewell interview on Sunday, September 29.
Suri's last day in office was on Monday, September 30. He is leaving the UAE on October 1, wrapping up his 36 years of diplomatic service.
Pawan Kapoor, who last served as the Indian ambassador to Israel, will replace him soon.
"It feels wonderful, 36 years in the diplomatic service. A career that took us from Cairo to Damascus to Delhi to Washington DC to Dar Ul Salam to London and back to Delhi. Then, as Consul-General to Johannesburg back to Delhi, to Egypt, then as the High Commissioner to Australia and then ambassador here in the UAE. I complete this innings with a sense of optimism," said Suri.
Suri took charge as the Indian ambassador in October 2016 at a time when India-UAE ties were on the upswing.
During his tenure, the Indian Prime Minister visited the UAE twice and both the countries raised their bilateral ties into a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement.
The ambassador has been largely credited for infusing a new dynamism and energy into the renewed relationship between the two countries.
His personal contributions in strengthening the India-UAE ties were recognised by the UAE when Suri was conferred the Order of Zayed II, one of the highest civilian honours of the country.
"It came as an absolute surprise. I generally believe that we are there to do our best. I guess I got lucky that I came here at a time when the relationships (between Indian and UAE) were on such an upswing. The close personal relationship between Prime Minister Modi and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has created an ambience in which guys in the field like us were able to do much better," said Suri, while thanking the UAE leadership for the rare honour.
On the future of India-UAE relations, Suri said the best is yet to come.
"I am pleased that the government of India has chosen an outstanding diplomat to succeed me. Ambassador Pawan Kapoor comes here with a great reputation and a wealth of experience, and I am very confident that with his energy and drive, you will see this relationship grow from strength to strength."
A published author, Suri said he is looking forward to a life in Delhi where he believes he can "still contribute in many areas", and continue to pursue writing as a hobby.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Dubai