Parliament Question: Safety and repatriation of Indians from West Asia

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4407 ANSWERED ON – 02/04/2026 SAFETY AND REPATRIATION OF INDIANS FROM WEST ASIA 4407. SHRI RAJINDER GUPTA Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is taking steps to ensure the safety and safe repatriation of Indian migrant workers, their families and students in view of the ongoing conflict in West Asia; (b) If so, the details thereof; (c) the number of Indian nationals currently residing in the affected countries, category-wise (workers, families, students), and the steps taken for their protection; and (d) The details of evacuation, advisory measures and coordination mechanisms put in place through Indian Missions in the region? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a to d) Presently, over 1 crore Indian nationals, including workers, students, experts, professionals, etc., are residing in countries in West Asia and Gulf region. Country-wise list of Indian community in these regions is attached at Annexure-I. Keeping in view the evolving situation in West Asia and the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in the region, Government has issued regular advisories to provide information on the situation and the available travel options, as well as guidance on following the safety guidelines of the local authorities and information on contacting the Indian Embassy/Consulate for assistance. These advisories are disseminated widely, including on social media platforms. Indian Embassies and Consulates in the region have set up 24x7 emergency helpline numbers to assist Indian nationals. The Ministry of External Affairs has also set up a dedicated Special Control Room to monitor the situation, respond to queries from the affected Indian nationals and their families, and for real-time coordination with Indian Embassies and Consulates for emergency cases. Details of advisories issued by the Indian Embassies and Consulates in West Asia are attached at Annexure-II. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassies and Consulates in the region have been coordinating closely with the respective local authorities in the impacted countries, as well as with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, to facilitate the travel to India of passengers who were stranded in the region and those who were visiting those countries on short-term visas. Upon partial opening of airspace across the region, Government has facilitated a number of commercial flights, including non-scheduled operations, for the travel of Indian passengers. In those countries where commercial flight operations are not yet available, Indian nationals are being facilitated to obtain transit visa and travel to adjacent countries for embarking on 1available flights. Government has thus far facilitated the travel of over 4.75 lakh Indian nationals (till 25 March 2026) from West Asia and Gulf region to India by these commercial flights. The Government remains committed to the safety and security of the Indian nationals residing in West Asia and is undertaking all possible measures to ensure their well-being. 2Annexure-I Country-wise Indian population residing in West Asian and Gulf countries In Lakh Sl. No. Name of country Indian nationals currently residing in West Asia and Gulf countries (approximately) 1 Bahrain 3.15 2 Iran 0.9 3 Iraq 0.37 4 Israel 0.42 5 Jordan 0.18 6 Kuwait 10.60 7 Lebanon 0.015 8 Oman 6.75 9 Palestine 0.0001 (10 only) 10 Qatar 8.29 11 Saudi Arabia 27.48 12 Syria 0.0005 (50 only) 13 UAE 43.26 14 Yemen 0.04 TOTAL 101.4556 3Annexure II Details of advisories issued by the Indian Embassies and Consulates in West Asian and Gulf countries Sl. No. Name of country Date of Advisory issued by Indian Missions 1. MEA HQ 1 March 2026, 7 March 2026 2. Bahrain 28 February 2026, 9 March 2026, 10 March 2026 3. Iran 23 February 2026, 28 February 2026, 3 March 2026, 9 March 2026, 16 March 2026 4. Iraq 28 February 2026, 5 March 2026, 8 March 2026, 18 March 2026 5. Israel 28 February 2026 6. Jordan 28 February 2026, 4 March 2026, 19 March 2026 7. Kuwait 28 February 2026, 5 March 2026 8. Lebanon 1 March 2026 9. Oman 28 February 2026 10. Palestine 28 February 2026 11. Qatar 28 February 2026, 3 March 2026, 4 March 2026 6 March 2026, 7 March 2026, 8 March 2026, 10 March 2026, 11 March 2026, 12 March 2026, 13 March 2026, 14 March 2026, 15 March 2026, 16 March 2026, 17 March 2026, 18 March 2026, 19 March 2026, 23 March 2026 12. Saudi Arabia & 28 February 2026, 3 March 2026, 8 March 2026, 15 March Yemen 2026 (EOI, Riyadh is concurrently accredited to Yemen) 13. Syria 28 February 2026 14. UAE 28 February 2026, 5 March 2026, 8 March 2026, 13 March 2026, 15 March 2026 ***** 4