Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been awarded one of the UAE’s highest civilian honours, the First Class Order of Zayed II. This recognition comes after his heroic actions during a recent incident involving a terrorist attack on a FlyDubai flight. However, he is not the first Indian to receive this honour, as two Indian diplomats were awarded the same decoration prior to him for their contributions to enhancing India-UAE relations.

On October 27, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the First Class Order of Zayed II to Machchhar and his fellow crew members in recognition of their bravery during the September 30 incident. The awards were handed out by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The honour is typically awarded to distinguished foreign diplomats, senior officials, and notable international figures for their service.

The First Class Order of Zayed II is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president of the UAE, who served from 1971 until his death in 2004. This award is distinct from the Order of Zayed, which is the UAE’s highest civilian decoration and was awarded to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2019.

Details of the Incident Involving Machchhar

Captain Machchhar sustained serious injuries during the attack when his co-pilot allegedly assaulted him with an axe in the cockpit of the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. The aircraft reportedly descended nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling other crew members to subdue the assailant and ensure the safety of the 174 passengers on board.

During a video call with Prime Minister Modi, Machchhar revealed that he recited the Hanuman Chalisa for strength during the crisis. His bravery has garnered international attention, receiving commendations from leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who announced plans to award him a civilian bravery honour.

The recognition of Machchhar’s actions highlights the significance of his role in averting a potential disaster during the mid-air attack. His honour stands apart from that of the previous recipients, who were acknowledged for their diplomatic service rather than for actions taken in an emergency situation.

Previous Indian Recipients of the Honour

The first Indian recipient of the First Class Order of Zayed II was Navdeep Singh Suri, who served as India’s ambassador to the UAE from December 2016 to September 2019. On September 11, 2019, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Suri had been awarded the honour by then-President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The award was presented by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, during a meeting in Abu Dhabi.

Suri was recognised for his efforts in strengthening bilateral relations between India and the UAE, particularly during a period of significant expansion in their diplomatic ties. His tenure included the elevation of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017, with notable advancements in defence and investment.

Another Indian ambassador, Sunjay Sudhir, received the same honour on September 17, 2025, for his contributions during his tenure from November 2021 to September 2025. The award was presented by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, acknowledging Sudhir’s role in enhancing India-UAE relations across various sectors, including economic and educational cooperation.

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