India, Oct. 28 -- Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar of the flydubai flight that narrowly escaped a major aviation tragedy on September 30 has received the UAE's First Class Order of Zayed II. However, Captain Machchhar is not the first Indian to receive the prestigious civilian honour. Two Indian diplomats were conferred the same decoration before him for their contributions to strengthening India-UAE relations.

Captain Machchhar and other FlyDubai crew members were honoured by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on October 27. The awards were presented by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in recognition of their actions during the September 30 cockpit attack.

The two Indian diplomats who...