Major setback for Pakistan, Abu Dhabi backs out of Airport deal after UAE President’s India visit, Islamabad now plans to…

New Delhi: In a significant development, Abu Dhabi has backed out from its plan to operate Islamabad International Airport. The decision comes soon after United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a surprise trip to India. The decision by the UAE authorities is seen as a major embarrassment for Pakistan. The development was confirmed by Pakistani publication The Express Tribune, which reported that the plan was shelved after the UAE lost interest in the project and failed to identify a local partner to outsource operations.

It is important to note that the development comes at a time when UAE and Saudi Arabia are witnessing rising tensions. Once the closest of Gulf allies, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are locked in an unusual public confrontation over support to rival groups in Yemen.

While Islamabad inked a defence deal with Riyadh and wants to form what is being described as an “Islamic NATO” with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the UAE has signed new defence deals with India.