**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 960 in Lok Sabha, answered on December 5, 2025, concerning Indian citizens imprisoned in Kuwait jails. The response details the number of emigrant workers from the Udaipur and Banswara Lok Sabha Constituencies, the number of Indian prisoners in Kuwait, and the government's efforts to protect the welfare and security of Indian workers abroad. There are no deadlines or specific action items listed other than awareness that assistance is available and action is being taken.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Emigration Clearance:**
* A total of 13,437 emigrant workers from Banswara and Udaipur have been granted Emigration Clearance (EC) through eMigrate for employment in foreign countries, including Kuwait.
* **Indian Prisoners in Kuwait:**
* As of October 31, 2025, there are 316 Indian prisoners in Kuwait jails, according to data shared by Kuwaiti authorities.
* Specific data for Udaipur and Banswara is not available.
* **Government Efforts:**
* The government prioritizes the safety, security, and well-being of Indian nationals in foreign countries.
* Indian Missions/Posts abroad remain vigilant and closely monitor incidents of Indian nationals being imprisoned.
* Indian Missions/Posts provide consular access to detained/arrested Indian nationals, ascertain the facts of the case, and ensure their welfare.
* The issue of release and repatriation is regularly pursued with local authorities.
* Missions/Posts also approach law enforcement agencies to expedite investigations and judicial proceedings.
* The government pursues grants of amnesty/commutation of sentences for Indian prisoners.
* India has prisoner transfer treaties with many nations.
* Legal aid is provided through Indian Missions/Posts.
* The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) assists overseas Indian nationals in distress, including financial aid for legal assistance and travel documents/air tickets for repatriation.
* **India-Kuwait Labour Agreements:**
* There are two MoUs between India and Kuwait on labor issues:
* MoU on Labour, Employment and Manpower Development (signed April 7, 2009)
* MoU on Cooperation on the recruitment of Domestic workers (signed June 10, 2021)
* Discussions on labor issues are held within the framework of the JWG on Labour Employment and Manpower Development.
* Regular meetings are held between Embassy officials, Public Authority of Manpower (PAM), Domestic Labour Office (DLO), and Consulate Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kuwait to resolve labour issues and ensure the welfare of Indian workers.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Indian Nationals (particularly workers in Kuwait)
* **Impact:** The government's response highlights the efforts being made to protect the rights and welfare of Indian workers in Kuwait. They can expect assistance from Indian Missions/Posts and the ICWF if they face imprisonment or distress situations.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of available resources (Indian Missions/Posts and ICWF) if imprisoned or in distress.
**Stakeholder:** Residents of Udaipur and Banswara Lok Sabha Constituencies
* **Impact:** Provides information on the number of people from their constituency who have gone to Kuwait and other countries for employment.
* **Action Required:** None explicitly mentioned, but may use this information to inquire about government assistance for any constituents imprisoned or facing difficulties abroad.
**Stakeholder:** Ministry of External Affairs
* **Impact:** Highlights the actions being taken to monitor and address the issues faced by Indian workers in Kuwait.
* **Action Required:** Continue to provide consular assistance, pursue release/repatriation, and address labor issues through existing frameworks and agreements with Kuwait.
Key Entities Referenced
Kuwait: A country in the Middle East with a significant number of Indian workers.
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for India's foreign relations.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Indian Parliament, from which the questions in this document originate.
Indian Missions/Posts: Indian diplomatic missions that provide support to Indian nationals abroad, including prisoners.
Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF): A fund set up in Indian Missions abroad for assisting overseas Indian nationals in distress situations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 960
ANSWERED ON- 05/12/2025
INDIANS IMPRISONED IN KUWAIT JAIL
†960. SHRI RAJKUMAR ROAT
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the details of the persons from the Udaipur and Banswara Lok
Sabha Constituency who have gone to Kuwait and other countries
for employment;
(b) the number of Indian workers imprisoned and languishing in jails
in Kuwait and other countries, indicating the offences for which they
have been imprisoned, State-wise and name-wise details of such
persons from Lok Sabha Constituency of Banswara indicating the
efforts made so far by the Government for their release;
(c) whether it is a fact that several Indian labourers in Kuwait are
being subjected to arbitrary work practices by companies there and
they face the threat of deportation due to violations of contract
1terms and if so, the remedial steps taken by the Government in this
regard; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to hold high-level discussions
with the Government of Kuwait to ensure justice and safeguard the
security of Indian workers and if so, the time by which it is likely to
be done?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) A total of 13,437 emigrant workers from Banswara and
Udaipur have been granted Emigration Clearance (EC) through
eMigrate for employment in foreign countries, including Kuwait.
There are a total of 316 Indian prisoners in jails in Kuwait (as on
31.10.2025) as per the data shared by Kuwaiti authorities. However,
specific data in respect of Udaipur and Banswara is not available.
2The Government attaches high priority to the safety, security and
well-being of Indian nationals in foreign countries, including those in
foreign jails. Indian Missions/Posts abroad remain vigilant and
closely monitor the incidents of Indian nationals being put in jail in
foreign countries for violation/ alleged violation of local laws. As
soon as the information about the detention/arrest of an Indian
national is received by an Indian Mission/Post abroad, the Mission/
Post officials immediately get in touch with the local Foreign Office
and other concerned local authorities for consular access to the
detained/arrested Indian national to ascertain the facts of the case,
his/her Indian nationality and to ensure his/her welfare. Indian
Missions/Posts abroad remain vigilant to ensure that rights of the
Indian prisoners in foreign jails are protected.
The issue of release and repatriation of Indian nationals in foreign
prisons is regularly pursued by Indian Missions/ Posts abroad with
the local authorities concerned. Missions/Posts abroad also
approach the law enforcement agencies to complete the
investigation and judicial proceedings as early as possible. The
3Government also follows up this issue during consular and other
consultations with other countries. In addition, the Government,
through its Missions/Posts abroad and during high level visits, also
takes up and pursues grant of amnesty/commutation of sentences of
Indian prisoners in foreign countries. India has also entered into
prisoner transfer treaties with many nations that allow a person
convicted of a crime to be transferred to his/her home country to
serve the prison sentence.
Apart from extending all possible consular assistance to Indian
nationals imprisoned abroad, Indian Missions/ Posts also assist in
providing legal aid wherever needed. The Indian Community Welfare
Fund (ICWF) has been set up in Indian Missions/ Posts abroad for
assisting overseas Indian nationals in distress situations on a means
tested basis in deserving cases. The support extended under ICWF
includes financial assistance to Indian prisoners for legal aid as well
as travel documents / air tickets during repatriation.
4(d) There are two MoUs between India and Kuwait on labour issues:
(i) MoU on Labour, Employment and Manpower Development signed
on 07 April 2009; and (ii) MoU between the Government of India and
the Government of the State of Kuwait for Cooperation on the
recruitment of Domestic workers signed on June 10, 2021.
Discussions on all labour issues are held within the framework of
JWG on Labour Employment and Manpower Development. Regular
meetings are held between Embassy Officials and Public Authority of
Manpower (PAM) and Domestic Labour Office (DLO) as well as
Consulate Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kuwait for resolution
of labour issues of Indian workers as well as to ensure welfare of
Indian workers.
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