Dubai: The Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC Dubai) hosted a distinguished Welcome Reception for H.E. Dr. Deepak Mittal, the newly appointed Ambassador of India to the United Arab Emirates, marking his first official engagement with the Indian business diaspora since assuming office. 

The evening underscored the growing momentum in India-UAE relations, with Ambassador Mittal being formally announced as Patron of IBPC Dubai, alongside H.E. Abulnasser Jamal Alshaali, PhD, Ambassador of the UAE to India, and H.E. Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India to Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Opening the evening, Vice Chairman Sunil Sinha welcomed the Ambassador and reflected on IBPC Dubai’s long-standing partnership with the Embassy of India, built on shared objectives of empowering the diaspora and advancing bilateral economic cooperation.
In his address, Secretary General Dr. Sahitya Chaturvedi articulated IBPC Dubai’s journey through its Purpose, Presence and Promise. Established in 2003 and licensed by Dubai Chambers, IBPC Dubai stands as one of the UAE’s oldest and most respected Indian-led business councils, representing and empowering the Indian business and professional community. With six active Focus Groups and a dedicated forum, IBPC curates high-impact, sector-specific initiatives that engage over 50,000 participants annually, positioning the Council as a powerful voice in the evolving India–UAE partnership.

Highlighting IBPC’s vibrant calendar, the evening reflected on flagship initiatives including the AI Summit at Dubai Chambers, Youth Conclave, Steel & Alloy Symposium with Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, the India Dialogue Series with the RBI and Shri Chirag Paswan, the Capital Connect Series linking businesses with regional investors, and focused programs on Tax Compliance and E-Invoicing, alongside marquee events celebrating milestones in India-UAE relations.

IBPC Dubai Chairman Siddharth Balachandran described the present moment as a “gilded age for India,” outlining the country’s trajectory toward becoming a global superpower and emphasizing how the India-UAE partnership serves as a critical pillar in this growth story. His perspective was reinforced by H.E. Satish Kumar Sivan, who lauded the Indian diaspora’s contribution to the UAE and shared strategic insights that echoed the Chairman’s vision.

Delivering the keynote address, Ambassador Dr. Deepak Mittal underscored IBPC Dubai’s pivotal role as a strategic bridge between India and the UAE, calling upon the Council and its members to play a more active role in translating the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) into tangible outcomes. Recognizing the UAE as home to the largest Indian diaspora globally, he emphasized that institutions like IBPC Dubai, rooted in business leadership, sectoral expertise, and community influence, are uniquely positioned to drive deeper collaboration across trade, investment, energy, technology, and innovation, and to ensure the relationship continues to deliver mutual, long-term value.

The reception also celebrated a milestone in leadership development, as IBPC members received certificates for the successful completion of the Institute of Directors (IOD), India’s inaugural ‘Masterclass for Directors’ conducted exclusively for IBPC Dubai. The program brought together 27 eminent directors, senior executives, and entrepreneurs, fostering a strong community of board-ready leaders in the UAE.

Adding a cultural dimension to the evening, a curated exhibition of Indian folk art by art curator Vidhisha Pandey showcased India’s rich artistic heritage, complementing the spirit of people-to-people engagement.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Skandan Mahalingam, Governor of IBPC Dubai, Founder and Managing Director of Ideal Capital, who acknowledged the presence of community stalwarts including Chairman Emeritus Suresh Kumar, Vasu Shroff, and IBPC Governors Paras Shahdadpuri and Dinesh Kothari, whose continued support strengthens IBPC’s mission.