When Dubai almost became a part of India

In 1956, British India's influence spread to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman, with Arabian protectorates overseen by the Indian Political Service. Despite being part of the Indian Empire, the Arabian extension of the British Raj was often kept secret to avoid political tensions. By the 1930s, as Indian nationalism grew, Aden was separated from India, and the Gulf states officially detached from India in 1947, preceding India and Pakistan's independence. Indian passports were issued as far as Aden, showing the historical ties between the region and British India.