Reports

Nitya Kailasanathan

Nitya Kailasanathan

Nitya Kailasanathan is a seasoned executive and business strategist with over two decades of experience in government relations, business development, and operational leadership, primarily within the visa outsourcing and travel facilitation sector. As Vice President of Business Development at VFS Global, based in Dubai, she leads the account management team and oversees critical relationships with client governments, driving revenue growth and strategic partnerships.

Her career has spanned diverse geographies, including Russia, India, and the United Arab Emirates, and she has consistently demonstrated a talent for expanding market share, winning major government contracts, and fostering high-performance teams. With a background in economics from the University of Mumbai, Nitya brings a holistic approach to problem-solving, combining operational expertise with a client-centric mindset.

Her leadership has been instrumental in securing major tenders, expanding geographical coverage for government clients, and ensuring compliance with stringent service standards. Nitya’s reputation is built on her ability to deliver innovative solutions, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and drive organizational objectives, making her a key figure in the intersection of government affairs and international business development.

Nitya Kailasanathan, through her leadership at VFS Global, plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of client governments, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), within the context of international travel, visa facilitation, and diplomatic engagement. VFS Global, as a leading outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, acts as a crucial intermediary between governments and travelers, streamlining visa application processes and enhancing the efficiency of consular services.

The true and sometimes less visible intention behind this lobbying is to position the UAE as a global hub for commerce, tourism, and international diplomacy by ensuring seamless mobility for travelers, investors, and expatriates. By managing and optimizing visa operations, Nitya and her team contribute to the UAE’s broader strategy of economic diversification and soft power projection. This involves not only improving the experience for legitimate travelers but also shaping policy discussions around border security, migration, and international cooperation.

Nitya’s lobbying efforts are characterized by proactive engagement with EU policymakers, government officials, and industry stakeholders to advocate for policies that facilitate legitimate travel while addressing security concerns. This includes supporting initiatives that promote digital transformation in visa processing, advocating for reciprocal visa arrangements, and participating in dialogues on migration management. By leveraging VFS Global’s extensive network and operational expertise, Nitya is able to present compelling data and case studies to influence policy decisions in favor of the UAE’s interests.

Moreover, the lobbying extends to building strategic alliances with think tanks, sponsoring events, and participating in public-private partnerships that highlight the UAE’s commitment to innovation, security, and international cooperation. The aim is not only to secure favorable regulatory environments but also to enhance the UAE’s image as a progressive and reliable partner in global mobility. Through these efforts, Nitya plays a key role in advancing the UAE’s objectives in the EU, ensuring that its voice is heard in critical policy debates on travel, security, and economic integration.

Nitya Kailasanathan’s lobbying activities are multifaceted, encompassing direct engagement with EU politicians, participation in high-level forums, and the orchestration of public-private initiatives to promote the UAE’s interests. As part of her role at VFS Global, she has overseen and participated in numerous meetings with representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of several European countries, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, to negotiate and secure visa outsourcing contracts. These meetings often serve as platforms to advocate for streamlined visa processes, the adoption of digital solutions, and the harmonization of travel policies, all of which align with the UAE’s goal of facilitating greater mobility and economic exchange.

In addition to formal meetings, Nitya has been involved in organizing and attending industry conferences, workshops, and networking events where EU policymakers, diplomats, and industry leaders converge to discuss the future of travel and migration. These events provide opportunities to influence the policy agenda, showcase the UAE’s advancements in travel facilitation, and build relationships with key decision-makers. By sponsoring and participating in these forums, Nitya helps to position the UAE as a thought leader in the domain of global mobility.

Reports indicate that UAE lobbyists, including those working through firms like VFS Global, employ a variety of tactics to influence EU decision-making. This includes funding research projects, sponsoring conferences, and providing opportunities for policymakers to visit the UAE and witness its innovations firsthand. Such activities are designed to foster goodwill, build networks, and create a favorable environment for policy decisions that benefit the UAE.

While specific details of every meeting attended by Nitya with EU politicians are not publicly available, her track record demonstrates a consistent pattern of engagement with government officials to secure contracts and advocate for policy changes. The outcomes of these meetings are evident in the expansion of VFS Global’s operations across Europe, the successful acquisition of major tenders, and the strengthening of bilateral relations between the UAE and EU member states. These developments underscore the effectiveness of her lobbying activities in advancing the UAE’s strategic interests within the EU.

  • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nitya-kailasanathan-a10781a

  • Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  • Company Website: vfsglobal.com

No public phone number is listed. For further professional contact, LinkedIn and email are the primary channels.

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