The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India announced that it has successfully facilitated the movement of 1862 Indian nationals from Iran to Armenia and Azerbaijan, enabling their onward travel to India. This initiative has taken place amid escalating conflict in West Asia. During an inter-ministerial press briefing, Additional Secretary for Gulf Affairs, Aseem R Mahajan, shared these updates and emphasized the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of Indians in the region.

Focus on Safety and Welfare

Mahajan indicated that the MEA is continuously monitoring developments in the Gulf and West Asia, underscoring their focus on the large Indian community residing there. The government is also working in close coordination with various states and Union Territories while maintaining a dedicated control room to facilitate communication and assistance for Indian nationals in need.

Coordination with Local Authorities

The ministry has established a special control room that collaborates closely with embassies and consulates to support Indian nationals. In addition to this, MEA missions are available around the clock to address queries through helplines, email, and social media. They are actively sharing updated advisories related to local government guidelines, flight and travel scenarios, and consular services to keep citizens informed.

Engagement with Community Organizations

Highlighting broader outreach efforts, Mahajan mentioned that Indian ambassadors are maintaining regular interactions with community associations, professional groups, and Indian firms to ensure that the concerns of the expatriate population are understood and addressed adequately.

Support for Indian Students and Crew Members

On the subject of students, Mahajan emphasized that the ministry is prioritizing the welfare of Indian students studying in Gulf countries. The missions are in constant communication with local authorities and educational institutions, as well as the National Testing Agency, to manage any issues relating to student wellbeing. For Indian crew members working on vessels in the region, the embassies are providing necessary support, including consular assistance and coordination with local agencies to facilitate their return to India.

Travel Updates and Flight Operations

According to the MEA, flights from various parts of the Gulf region to India are still operational where airspace permits. Since February 28, approximately 760,000 passengers have successfully traveled back to India from the region. The additional secretary mentioned that on a typical day, about 90 flights are anticipated to operate from the UAE to India, along with various flights from Saudi Arabia and Oman to Indian cities.

Flight Restrictions and Alternative Routes

While Kuwait’s airspace remains closed, both Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways have been conducting non-scheduled commercial flights from Dammam Airport in Saudi Arabia to multiple destinations in India. Similarly, Bahrain’s airspace is also closed; however, Gulf Air from Bahrain has been utilizing Dammam Airport to facilitate passenger travel to India. Due to ongoing flight restrictions, the MEA is actively coordinating travel for Indian nationals from Israel via Egypt and Jordan, from Iraq through Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and from Kuwait and Bahrain using Saudi Arabia as a transit point to reach India.

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