The Government of India has successfully facilitated the evacuation of over 1.03 million Indian nationals from conflict-affected regions in West Asia since February. This significant undertaking highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens amidst escalating regional tensions. Joint Secretary (Gulf) Aseem Mahajan provided details during an Inter-Ministerial briefing conducted on April 17, outlining the comprehensive measures employed for this mission.

Mahajan emphasised the establishment of dedicated mission control rooms, which are key to coordinating evacuation and aviation assistance operations. These control rooms maintain continuous communication with state and Union Territory control centres and local governments. This collaborative effort aims to ensure timely support, safety, and the distribution of updated advisories to Indian nationals abroad.

According to the government, as of now, a total of 1,038,000 Indian individuals have been rescued and assisted, facilitated through a mixture of coordinated evacuations and controlled commercial travel. The government’s infrastructure operates on a “round-the-clock” basis, bridging communication gaps between Indian missions, state authorities, and international airlines.

Current Status of Air Travel and Evacuations

Flight operations are being actively managed, especially as airspace restrictions in specific regions begin to alleviate. Mahajan confirmed that in the United Arab Emirates, multiple airlines are currently operating flights from the UAE to India via various airports, ensuring connectivity for Indian nationals. Dammam in Saudi Arabia is also witnessing maintained flight operations with potential plans for limited additional services being developed.

As conditions improve, the government has provided updates on the status of flight connectivity. In Qatar, where airspace remains partially open, Qatar Airways is expected to operate approximately ten flights. Other airlines, including Jazeera Airways from Kuwait, are also facilitating non-scheduled services that assist passenger movement to and from India. Similar arrangements are being observed in Bahrain and Iraq, where preparations are underway to further enhance flight connectivity.

Significantly, Indian missions in Iran have navigated complex ground conditions to support 2,358 nationals, including vulnerable groups. These individuals have received coordinated assistance for safe movement towards Armenia and Azerbaijan, comprising 1,041 students and 657 fishermen evacuated through structured channels.

Challenges and Continued Coordination Efforts

Despite some encouraging developments in flight operations in Gulf countries, Mahajan reiterated the ongoing necessity for the mission control framework. The government maintains proactive communication with partner nations to manage evolving airspace conditions. The focus is to ensure that Indian citizens are not left stranded in these regions as the local situation develops.

In Israel, while airspace is partially open, the onward movement of nationals is facilitated through Jordan before they can board flights to India. Continuous diplomatic and logistical coordination is essential for maintaining support channels for evacuation and travel despite regional instability.

Collectively, these efforts demonstrate the Indian government’s comprehensive approach to securing the welfare of its citizens abroad. With the ongoing situation being closely monitored, authorities are dedicated to enhancing evacuation operations while ensuring that Indian nationals can safely return home as conditions permit.

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