**Executive Summary**
This document is the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2099, answered on December 12, 2025, regarding the condition, safety, and protection of Indian nationals in conflict regions. It details measures taken by the Ministry of External Affairs to monitor situations, assist Indian nationals, and strengthen bilateral mechanisms for their protection. Key actions include issuing advisories, establishing communication channels, and negotiating agreements with various countries.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Monitoring and Advisories:**
* The government closely monitors adverse situations abroad.
* Advisories are issued to caution Indian nationals to avoid unnecessary travel.
* Indian nationals are advised to follow safety guidelines issued by local authorities and remain in touch with Indian Missions.
* **Communication Mechanisms:**
* Various communication channels are available for Indian nationals to reach Indian Missions/Posts.
* These include email, multilingual 24x7 emergency numbers, social media, toll-free helplines, and WhatsApp numbers.
* **Evacuation and Logistical Support:**
* The government undertakes evacuation operations in coordination with stakeholders during adverse situations.
* The Ministry established a ‘Rapid Response Cell' in 2021.
* 24x7 control rooms are set up at headquarters and in Missions abroad during operations.
* Comprehensive logistical support is provided, including safe shelters, meals, and transportation.
* **Bilateral Mechanisms:**
* The Ministry of External Affairs maintains constant communication with its counterparts through diplomatic channels.
* The government works towards establishing institutional mechanisms, such as Migration and Mobility Partnerships (MMPAs) and Labour Mobility Agreements.
* MMPAs have been signed with Austria, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, and UK. Labour Mobility Agreements have been signed with Japan, Portugal, Taiwan, Mauritius, Malaysia, and Israel.
* Labour and Manpower Cooperation Agreements are in place with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
* **Protection of Migrant Workers:**
* Specific protective measures are implemented for vulnerable migrant groups, especially Domestic Sector Workers (DSWs) and female workers.
* Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Agreements with Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait outline safeguards for domestic workers.
* Bilateral Social Security Agreements have been signed with several countries to prevent dual social security contributions and ensure portability of benefits.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Nationals in Conflict Regions**
* **Impact:** Increased safety and security through government monitoring, advisories, communication channels, and potential evacuation support.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed about government advisories, follow local safety guidelines, and maintain contact with Indian Missions.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of External Affairs**
* **Impact:** Responsible for monitoring situations, issuing advisories, coordinating evacuations, and negotiating bilateral agreements.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor global situations, maintain communication channels, operate the Rapid Response Cell, and pursue bilateral agreements with relevant countries.
**Stakeholder: Indian Missions/Posts Abroad**
* **Impact:** Serve as a point of contact for Indian nationals, provide assistance, and coordinate with the government during crises.
* **Action Required:** Maintain accessible communication channels, provide necessary support to Indian nationals, and cooperate with the government during evacuation efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
Rapid Response Cell: A dedicated wing within the Ministry of External Affairs established to swiftly respond to crisis situations faced by overseas Indian nationals.
Migration and Mobility Partnerships (MMPAs): Institutional mechanisms being established with destination countries to protect and manage the mobility of Indian nationals, including labour rights.
Labour Mobility and Labour Welfare Agreement: Agreement with destination countries to protect and manage the mobility of Indian labourers and their rights.
Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC): A regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, with which Labour and Manpower Cooperation Agreements are in place.
Ministry of External Affairs: The primary ministry responsible for addressing the safety and evacuation of Indian nationals in conflict-affected regions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2099
ANSWERED ON- 12/12/2025
INDIANS IN CONFLICT REGIONS
2099. SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) whether the Government has reviewed the current condition of Indian
nationals in conflict-affected regions across the world, if so, the details
thereof;
(b) the steps being taken to ensure their safety and evacuation wherever
required; and
(c) whether any new bilateral mechanisms are being planned to strengthen
protection for overseas Indians, if so, the details thereof, if not, the
reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)
(a & b) The Government closely monitors emerging adverse situations
abroad and issues advisories, as required, to caution Indian nationals to
avoid unnecessary travel, follow safety guidelines issued by local
1authorities and remain in touch with Indian Missions. Various
communication mechanisms are in place for Indian nationals to reach
Indian Missions/Posts, including email, multilingual 24x7 emergency
numbers, social media, toll-free helplines & WhatsApp numbers.
In the event of adverse and emergent situations abroad, the Government
undertakes evacuation operations in coordination with all relevant
stakeholders. With a view to swiftly responding to crisis situations faced
by overseas Indian nationals, the Ministry has established a dedicated
wing named the ‘Rapid Response Cell’ in 2021. During such operations,
24x7 control rooms are set up at headquarters and in Missions abroad.
The Government provides comprehensive logistical support, including safe
shelters, meals, local and cross-border movement and transportation
through special vehicles and evacuation flights on gratis basis.
(c) The Ministry of External Affairs remains in constant touch with its
counterparts through diplomatic channels to ensure the safety and
security of Indian nationals. The Government has also been working
towards establishing institutional mechanisms such as Migration and
Mobility Partnerships (MMPAs), Labour Mobility and Labour Welfare
Agreement with destination countries. These Agreements/MoUs, inter-alia,
seek to protect labour rights. MMPAs have been signed with Austria,
Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and UK and Labour Mobility
2Agreements have been signed with Japan, Portugal, Taiwan, Mauritius,
Malaysia and Israel. The Government is engaged in negotiations for
concluding similar agreements/MOUs with other identified countries like
Greece, Switzerland etc. Additionally, Labour and Manpower Cooperation
Agreements are also in place with the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC)
like Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan, that
provide overarching framework for cooperation on labour and manpower
issues. Recognizing the vulnerability of certain migrant groups, especially
Domestic Sector Workers (DSWs) and female workers, the Government has
implemented specific protective measures. Separate Memorandums of
Understanding (MoUs) and Agreements with Saudi Arabia, UAE, and
Kuwait outline safeguards for domestic workers. Further, with a view to
prevent dual social security contributions and ensure portability of
benefits for workers, the Ministry has already signed Bilateral Social
Security Agreements with countries such as Belgium, France, Germany,
Switzerland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Hungary, Denmark, The Czech
Republic, Republic of Korea, Norway etc., and is negotiating with many
other countries.
*****
3