The UAE Ambassador said Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and tried to lower the tensions between the two countries.

In a major revelation, UAE envoy to India Dr Ahmed Albanna said that his country played an important role in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan

"We have played an important role in reducing tension between India and Pakistan. On the day of the huge escalation. Our Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammad Bin Zayed had a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Our role was to sort out differences between that two sides in a peaceful manner through negotiations", said the UAE envoy at an event organised by IIT Delhi to mark UAE's celebration of 2019 as "Year of tolerance".

This comes at a time when India has tried to downplay any foreign role in reducing of tensions between the two sides and has rejected the idea of mediation.

The Emirati envoy did say that there was no "mediation" on UAE's part since that requires request and consent of both the parties, India and Pakistan. But, accepted that the role of his country after Balakot strikes was very important.

Pakistan had planned retaliation which led to an Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman being captured by Pakistani military. UAE kept both India and Pakistan engaged around the time to ensure matters do no escalate.

"The UAE was engaged with both sides to ease off the tensions and resolve the issues amicably", he said.

The envoy also took questions on the issue of Pakistan and terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Talking about the misuse of "Islam" by terrorists, he said, "Without mentioning any specific person, name or country, UAE has a long standing resolve in preventing, flighting acts of terrorism and those radicalist, radical organisation. So, we work with all partners, with many different countries, with all the countries in the region to make our region peacefull region that we can live together and coexist."

Raising concerns regarding India-UAE bilateral relations in the aviation sector Dr. Albanna said that the new rules of India's air traffic is causing commercial losses to many countries

"Our skies are open to all Indian airways but India has a policy that denies those within the 5000-kilometre radius similar 'open sky policy'. I hope they will examine this policy.... We have taken it up with

In a major criticism and pointing towards corruption in India, the UAE envoy hinted at the role of corporates, politicians and lobbyists in deciding the aviation policy of India.

"The aviation industry is very important. The slogan of the Ministry of Aviation in India is 'fly for all'. I don't want to get into politics but everybody is aware of the law of supply and demand... We have an 'open sky policy' in UAE. We do not prevent anybody but in India a couple of years ago they passed a law which is '5000 kilometre radius'. No open sky for any flight within 5,000 kilometre radius. The lobbying of a certain groups affects decision-making and normal people further get affected."

India and UAE are also caught up in a corporate war between Jet Airways and Etihad.

The envoy justified the Emirati airliners stand since it now has a major stake in Jet. "There are more than 1000 direct flights per week between various destinations of India and the UAE. On April 23, 2013 Jet and Etihad Airways signed an US$ 8 billion agreement. Etihad airlines agreed to invest US$379 million in Jet Airways for a 24% stake in the shareholding", he said.