In a humanitarian gesture showcasing the close relations between India and the UAE, the United Arab Emirates has provided a list of over 900 Indian prisoners to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, who will be released earlier than expected, coinciding with the country’s national day celebrations.
The action comes after the clemency order issued by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to which 2,937 inmates of different nationalities were pardoned in a total of 2,937 before the UAE celebrated its 54th Eid Al Etihad. The Indian nationals are one of the most significant groups released, and it indicates the good relations between the people of the two countries.
A Major Humanitarian Pardon
The unique aspect of this pardon is that the UAE President chose to pay the fines that were imposed on the prisoners. A lot of the captured prisoners were held over visitor overstays, minor labour disagreements, or defaults of money, where unpaid fines tended to be a big obstacle to their liberation and repatriation.
Through paying these fines, the authorities in the UAE have made sure that their prisoners can go back to their families without necessarily having to deal with the debt of the pending fine. According to the officials, this action is not only a chance but also an excellent chance to get a new start in life.
The UAE Presidency reported earlier that the directive was based on the desire of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to provide the released prisoners with a new start in life, alleviate the pressure on their families, and make their loved ones happy, as well as encourage social cohesion and rehabilitation.
Spirit of Eid Al Etihad
Eid Al Etihad is celebrated on the 2nd of December every year; every year, it commemorates the merger of the seven emirates in 1971. The customary accompaniment of Clemency and Pardons of prisoners has been attached to the occasion, being an expression of mercy, peace, and reconciliation.
The year 2026 pardon is also consistent with the UAE Year of the Family program of reintegration and strengthening of social bonds. Legal officials indicated that the release was awarded to inmates who had been well-behaved, and they could therefore be reintegrated into society with dignity.
Strengthening India-UAE Ties
The list of the prisoners is handed over soon after the official visit of the President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, to India in mid-January at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was already on his fifth visit to India in the last ten years, and his third since becoming the president of the UAE.
In the visit, the two leaders agreed on the regional and global matters, signed a Letter of Intent for a Strategic Defence Partnership, and confirmed that their objective was to grow bilateral trade to 200 billion dollars by the year 2032. In 2021, the UAE also supported India hosting BRICS in 2026, and India supported the UAE hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Diplomatic observers view the release of the prisoners as a strong gesture of soft power, as an addition to the deepening strategic, economic, and defence relationship between the two nations. The move also builds goodwill and mutual trust. The officials of the Indian embassy are likely to collaborate with the authorities of the UAE to ensure that the released prisoners can be repatriated within the next few weeks, and the documentation process is easy.