Amid escalating West Asia tensions, India has facilitated the return of over 4.75 lakh nationals while confirming seven deaths and multiple injuries. Authorities continue evacuation, assistance, and monitoring efforts as disruptions from the Iran-Israel conflict impact millions of Indians across the region.
Amid escalating tensions across West Asia, the
Government of India has undertaken a large-scale effort to assist its citizens in the region, facilitating the return of more than 4.75 lakh Indian nationals while closely monitoring those still affected by the ongoing conflict, particularly the fallout of the Iran-Israel crisis.
In a written response in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that over one crore Indians currently reside across West Asian countries. Many have faced disruptions due to the worsening security situation, including travel restrictions, airspace closures, and economic uncertainty triggered by the conflict.
Indian nationals died in Gulf nations
The government confirmed that
seven Indian nationals have lost their lives in recent hostilities. Of these, four deaths were reported in Oman, while one each occurred in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq.
Additionally, one Indian national remains missing from a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman. Several others have been injured across multiple countries,
including Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, with most of the injured being men between the ages of 20 and 60.
Indian diaspora across Gulf
Providing a broader picture of the Indian diaspora in the region, the government noted that the largest population is in the UAE, with over 43 lakh Indians, followed by Saudi Arabia with more than 27 lakh.
Significant numbers are also present in
Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, while smaller communities reside in Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Iraq, and Jordan. Only a limited number of Indians remain in conflict-affected areas such as Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.
Indians evacuated
The crisis has significantly disrupted travel and mobility across the region. In response, Indian missions coordinated evacuation and transit operations using both regular and special commercial flights, as well as alternative routes through neighbouring countries where direct travel was not possible.
As a precautionary step, nearly 800 Indian students were evacuated from Iran before conditions deteriorated further. Others were supported in relocating within the country or exiting through land borders.
Emergency helplines
To manage the evolving situation, the Ministry of External Affairs established a 24×7 control room and
activated emergency helplines across embassies. By March 26, the control room had handled over 1,100 calls and responded to 265 emails from affected individuals and their families.
Indian missions on the ground have been providing a range of assistance, including emergency travel documents, medical support, temporary shelter, and visa facilitation.
They are also working closely with local authorities and hospitals to track the condition of injured nationals and maintain communication with families back home.
In the maritime sector, efforts are underway in coordination with the Directorate General of Shipping and local authorities to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers, particularly amid attacks on commercial vessels.
Missions are also facilitating the return of affected crew members.
The government reiterated that multiple advisories have been issued since late February, urging Indian nationals to remain vigilant, follow safety protocols, and stay in close contact with Indian embassies, assuring that all necessary measures are being taken to safeguard citizens in the region.
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