India on Tuesday, 6 May 2025 formally condemned missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after three Indian nationals were injured in strikes on Fujairah the previous day. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the assault "unacceptable" and demanded an immediate halt to hostilities targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. The UAE has held Iran fully responsible for the attacks.

India's Official Response

In a strongly worded statement, the MEA said: "The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable. We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians."

New Delhi also reiterated its commitment to diplomacy, stating that India "continues to stand for dialogue and diplomacy" to restore "peace and stability across West Asia". The ministry further called for "free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz" in keeping with international law, and said India stands ready to support all efforts toward a peaceful resolution.

Indian Embassy in UAE Acts Swiftly

Even before the MEA's formal condemnation, the Indian Embassy in the UAE on Monday confirmed it had made contact with local authorities. "Three Indian nationals have been injured in today's attacks in Fujairah. We are in touch with local authorities for ensuring adequate medical care and welfare of the affected Indian nationals," the Embassy stated. The identities and current medical conditions of the three injured individuals have not yet been officially disclosed.

UAE Holds Iran Responsible

The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as "renewed unprovoked Iranian aggression" carried out using missiles and drones against civilian sites and facilities. It characterised the strikes as an "unacceptable act of aggression" and a "direct threat to the UAE's security, stability and territorial integrity."

Abu Dhabi further stated that the attacks violate the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. The UAE emphasised it "reserves its full and legitimate right to respond" to the attacks in a manner consistent with international law, and held Iran "fully responsible for these unprovoked attacks and their repercussions."

Strategic Stakes: The Strait of Hormuz

India's specific mention of the Strait of Hormuz underscores the broader economic anxiety behind its diplomatic language. The strait is the world's most critical oil chokepoint, through which roughly 20% of global petroleum trade flows. Any sustained conflict in the Gulf risks disrupting energy supplies and shipping lanes that are vital to India's economy. This comes amid an already volatile West Asia security environment, with tensions between Iran and its neighbours having escalated sharply in recent months.

Notably, Fujairah — one of the UAE's seven emirates — hosts a major oil terminal and is a key bunkering hub, making it a strategically sensitive target. With a large Indian diaspora of approximately 3.5 million residents in the UAE, New Delhi has particular cause for concern whenever hostilities flare in the region.

What Happens Next

As of Tuesday, no Indian government official had confirmed whether the three injured nationals required hospitalisation or had been discharged. The MEA is expected to continue monitoring the situation through the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai. Diplomatic observers will watch whether India escalates its engagement with Tehran bilaterally, given that New Delhi maintains active ties with both Iran and the UAE. Any further Iranian strikes on UAE soil could force India into a more difficult diplomatic position.