The passing of Gopichand Hinduja, Co-Chairman of the Hinduja Group, marks the loss of a remarkable visionary whose leadership transcended borders and industries.  The chairman of the Hinduja Group and one of Britain’s wealthiest businessmen died in London on Tuesday, November 4, at the age of 85, according to PTI. Fondly known as ‘GP’ in global business circles, Hinduja had been unwell for several weeks and passed away in a London hospital, said sources.

Under his stewardship, the Hinduja Group evolved into a diversified multinational conglomerate spanning automotive, energy, banking, infrastructure, and technology, with a growing footprint in the Gulf region, particularly in the UAE.

He recognised the UAE not just as a commercial hub, but as a key growth market and a platform for innovation and sustainability. His belief in the nation’s vision of economic diversification inspired strategic collaborations that strengthened local industries while deepening India’s enduring partnership with the Emirates.

Hinduja also acknowledged the region’s dynamic reforms and its emergence as the ‘Capital of Global Wealth,’ aligning perfectly with the Group’s guiding philosophy of ‘think local, act global.’ Under his direction, the UAE became an essential regional hub for the Hinduja Group’s business expansions across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

One of the Group’s most promising ventures in the region is Switch Mobility, formed through the merger of Ashok Leyland’s electric vehicle division and the UK-based Optare. The company exemplifies Hinduja’s long-term vision for a greener, smarter future. In line with the UAE’s sustainability goals and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Switch Mobility had planned trial runs of its electric buses and light trucks in both countries this year, signalling a new era of sustainable mobility in the Middle East.

Hinduja’s influence was never confined to business. He believed deeply in “business with a purpose”, emphasising philanthropy, education, and community empowerment as integral parts of success. His humility, spirituality, and people-first leadership style earned him respect across continents.

As the UAE continues to evolve as a hub for innovation and sustainable development, Gopichand Hinduja’s legacy endures in every partnership, investment, and idea that bridges nations for a better tomorrow. 

Gopichand Hinduja leaves behind his spouse Sunita, two sons Sanjay and Dheeraj, and daughter Rita.

Sources: India Today, Gulf News, PTI

The Consulate General of India in Dubai has officially launched the Passport Seva Programme 2.0 (PSP 2.0) on October 28, introducing a smoother, faster, and more digital experience for passport-related services.

The upgraded system includes e-passports, embedded with an electronic chip that stores digitised data, allowing for quicker and more secure immigration checks at airports.

From now on, Indian expats must apply or renew their passports exclusively through the new online portal at https://mportal.passportindia.gov.in/gpsp/AuthNavigation/Login. The revamped website enables users to upload ICAO-compliant photos, signatures, and documents directly, thereby reducing waiting times at BLS centres across the UAE.

Applicants are reminded to follow ICAO photo guidelines before uploading their images to avoid delays.

In a welcome change, minor corrections to applications can now be made at BLS centres, with no extra fees and no need to start over. Once the form is submitted online, applicants simply print it out, book an appointment via BLS International, and bring the form and documents to their scheduled visit.

According to the Consulate, this move marks a major step toward modernising consular services, making passport issuance faster, more transparent, and user-friendly for the Indian community in the UAE.

The PSP 2.0 rollout reflects India’s ongoing digital transformation, aiming to bring advanced biometric passports and smoother processing to millions of citizens abroad.

India’s Kotak Mahindra Bank has secured regulatory approval to directly sell investment funds and portfolios to retail investors in the UAE, marking a first for an Indian financial institution.

Kotak International, the global arm of India’s third-largest private lender, announced it had received a licence from the UAE’s Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA). The approval allows the firm to move beyond high-net-worth clients and insurance-linked platforms to directly serve onshore investors.

The company plans to roll out its first India-focused retail funds in the UAE by the final quarter of 2025, with a minimum investment entry point of around $500.

“India has a very wide and diversified story — a young, working population that makes the economy resilient and appealing for global investors,” said Shyam Kumar, president of Kotak International.

The UAE’s tax-free environment on personal income and capital gains further enhances the appeal for cross-border investors, particularly those interested in India’s fast-growing markets.

Indian nationals, who make up about 35% of the UAE population, are already among the top foreign investors in Dubai real estate, purchasing over Dh35 billion ($9.53 billion) worth of property last year. While this demographic forms a strong base for Kotak’s expansion, the firm said it aims to attract the wider investor community in the Emirates.

Source: Reuters