India, April 25 -- BLS International has lost its long-held mandate to handle passport renewals, visa services, and other consular facilities for Indians in the UAE. The shift comes as a significant development for the Indian diaspora, which constitutes nearly 35 per cent of the UAE's population, with an estimated 4.3 million residents in 2024.

The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has awarded the outsourced consular services contract to Alhind Tours and Travels Private Limited, which will take over operations from July 1 for an initial three-year period.

The contract spans services at both the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai. Alhind clinched the deal by submitting the lowest financial bid-an all-inclusive D...