First Class Order of Zayed II Latest News
Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar recently received the UAE’s First Class Order of Zayed II for his bravery in protecting 174 passengers aboard a Flydubai flight during an alleged attack by his Omani co-pilot.
About First Class Order of Zayed II
- It is one of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) prestigious civilian decorations.
- It is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the country’s founding president, who ruled from 1971 until his death in 2004.
- It is generally awarded to foreign diplomats, senior officials, and distinguished international figures whose work has made a significant contribution to the country or its international relations.
- Indian Recipients:
- Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar received the award in 2026 for his bravery in protecting 174 passengers aboard a Flydubai flight during an alleged attack by his Omani co-pilot.
- However, he is not the first Indian to receive the prestigious honour.
- Two former Indian ambassadors to the UAE, Navdeep Singh Suri and Sunjay Sudhir, were previously awarded the same decoration for their contributions to strengthening bilateral relations.
- It is distinct from the Order of Zayed, the UAE’s highest civilian honour, which has been presented to prominent world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019.
News: NDTV
Last updated on Oct, 2026
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