New Delhi, Oct. 7 -- Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot currently receiving medical treatment following a mid-air attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight, is making steady progress at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Wednesday.

Providing an update on the pilot's condition during a bi-weekly press briefing, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal assured that Indian diplomatic authorities are in continuous contact with local officials and the hospital team overseeing his care.

"Captain Machhaar is in the hospital in Abu Dhabi," Jaiswal stated. "Our embassy in the UAE has been in regular touch with him, with his family, with local authorities, and with the hospital authorities. He's recupe...