While Captain Smit Machchhar recently garnered headlines for receiving the United Arab Emirates’ prestigious First Class Order of Zayed II, he is not the first Indian to be bestowed with this significant honour. Before Machchhar, two former Indian ambassadors to the UAE, Navdeep Singh Suri and Sunjay Sudhir, were also conferred with the same decoration, recognizing their pivotal roles in strengthening bilateral relations between India and the UAE.
Navdeep Singh Suri: The First Indian Diplomat Honoured
Navdeep Singh Suri holds the distinction of being the first of these two Indian diplomats to receive the First Class Order of Zayed II in September 2019. He served as India's ambassador to the UAE from December 2016 until September 2019. The award was presented by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, then the UAE's foreign minister, during a meeting in Abu Dhabi.
Suri's tenure was marked by a significant expansion of cooperation across various sectors, including defence, investment, and energy, laying robust foundations for the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.
Sunjay Sudhir: Strengthening Strategic Partnership
Following Suri, Sunjay Sudhir became the second Indian diplomat to receive the distinction. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred the honour upon him on September 17, 2025. Sudhir served as India's ambassador to the UAE from November 2021 to September 2025.
His recognition underscored his relentless efforts to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE, particularly in economic and educational cooperation. Noteworthy initiatives during his ambassadorship included developments linked to the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the expansion of Indian educational institutions within the UAE.
Understanding the First Class Order of Zayed II
Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president of the UAE, the First Class Order of Zayed II is a highly regarded civilian decoration. It is typically awarded to foreign diplomats, senior officials, and distinguished individuals who have made substantial contributions and provided exceptional service to the UAE or in fostering international relations.
It is important to differentiate this honour from the "Order of Zayed," which represents the UAE's highest civilian award. The Order of Zayed has been bestowed upon prominent international leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signifying a different echelon of recognition.