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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4402
ANSWERED ON – 02/04/2026
WEST ASIA CRISIS & CITIZEN SAFETY
4402. SMT. KIRAN CHOUDHRY
DR. PARMAR JASHVANTSINH SALAMSINH
SHRI UJJWAL DEORAO NIKAM
SHRI KESRIDEVSINH JHALA
SHRI BRIJ LAL
SHRI BABURAM NISHAD
SMT. MAYA NAROLIYA
SHRI NARHARI AMIN
SHRI ASHOKRAO SHANKARRAO CHAVAN
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of Indian nationals evacuated from West Asia region by March, 2026;
(b) how periodic advisory system has ensured the safety of Indian students in Iran;
(c) the specific diplomatic measures taken to protect Indian mariners following the
recent attacks on merchant shipping;
(d) whether a dedicated 24/7 emergency helpline was established for Indian citizens in
Gulf nations; and,
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) how collaboration with the Directorate General of Shipping has improved safety
protocols for Indian seafarers?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to f) Amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia and Gulf Region, Government has facilitated
the travel to India of over 4.75 lakh Indian nationals by commercial flights from these
regions till 25 March 2026.
Keeping in view the evolving situation in West Asia and the safety and security of Indian
nationals in Iran, the Embassy of India in Tehran has issued several advisories since January
2026. These advisories have played a pivotal role in disseminating crucial information
enabling Indian nationals to stay connected and advising them to leave Iran by all available
means of transport. As a result, approximately 800 Indian students left Iran for India before
the outbreak of the conflict in West Asia. The updated advisories issued by Indian Embassy
in Tehran on 3, 9 & 16 March, 2026 informed about Government’s arrangements for
1relocation of Indian students in Tehran to places outside Tehran and arrangements for Indian
nationals including students, pilgrims, short-term visitors, etc., to leave Iran through land
borders. Several more Indian students and pilgrims were then facilitated in their departure
from Iran.
The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassies and Consulates in the region have
been coordinating closely with the respective local authorities viz. Port officials, Coast
Guards, Shipping Agencies and other relevant stakeholders in the impacted countries to
ensure safety and welfare of Indian mariners. Indian Embassies and Consulates remain in
continuous contact with Indian crew members on affected vessels, facilitate communication
with their families in India and extend required guidance on travel options, including
facilitating transit visas for cross-border movement to embark on available commercial
flights.
Indian Embassies and Consulates in West Asia and Gulf regions 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. Till 26 March 2026, the Special
Control Room has addressed 1112 phone calls and 265 emails. Details of 24x7 emergency
helplines issued by the Indian Embassies and the Ministry of External Affairs are attached at
Annexure-I.
To ensure the safety and security of Indian seafarers, Ministry of External Affairs is closely
coordinating with the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways. All assistance in the form of coordination with local authorities for safe
repatriation of the rescued personnel and other formalities related to the deceased Indian
seafarers continue to be undertaken by the Indian Embassies and Consulates, while keeping
Directorate General of Shipping closely informed on the matter.
2Annexure-I
Details of 24x7 Emergency helplines issued by the Indian Embassies and Consulates in
West Asia and Gulf Region along with MEA’s Special Control Room
Name of country Details of the Control room and 24x7 emergency
helplines by MEA and Indian Missions
MEA HQ 1800118797 (Toll Free)
+91 11 2301 2123
+91 11 2301 4104
+91 11 2301 7905
Email: situationroom@mea.gov.in
Bahrain +973 39418071
+973 38400433
Iran +98 9128109115
+98 9128109102
+98 9128109109
+98 9932179359
Email cons.tehran@mea.gov.in
Iraq +964 7716511185
+964 7704444899 (Arabic)
Email: cons.baghdad@mea.gov.in
Cons1.baghdad@mea.gov.in
pol.baghdad@mea.gov.in
Israel +972 547520711
+972 542428378
Email: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in
Jordan +962 770422276
+962 786440990
Kuwait +965 65501946
Email: community.kuwait@mea.gov.in
Lebanon +961 76860128
Email: cons.beirut@mea.gov.in
Oman 8007 1234 (Toll Free)
+968 9828 2270 (whatsapp)
Email: cw.muscat@mea.gov.in
cons.muscat@mea.gov.in
Palestine +970 592916418
Email: repoffice@mea.gov.in
Cons.ramallah@mea.gov.in
Qatar +974-55647502
+974 55362508
+974 55384683
Email: cons.doha@mea.gov.in
Saudi Arabia & Riyadh
Yemen 800 247 1234 (Toll Free)
(EOI, Riyadh is +966 114884697
concurrently +966-542126748 (Whatsapp)
accredited to Yemen) Email: cw.riyadh@mea.gov.in
3Jeddah
800 244 0003 (Toll Free)
+966 556122301
+966 126648660
+966 122614093
+966 536209704 (Whatsapp)
Email: conscw.jeddah@mea.gov.in,
vclab.jeddah@mea.gov.in
Syria +963 993385973
Email: cons.damascus@mea.gov.in
UAE 800 46342 (Toll Free)
+971 543090571
Email: pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in
ca.abudhabi@mea.gov.in
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