The government disclosed that approximately 12.65 lakh passengers have journeyed from the Gulf and West Asia to India since February 28. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized its vigilant monitoring of the region, prioritizing the safety, security, and well-being of the Indian community. Indian missions and posts in the Gulf and West Asia regions are actively managing 24/7 helplines and providing aid to citizens while maintaining close communication with local authorities.
Flight operations between India and the region are progressively enhancing, with the introduction of additional services. Notably, airlines in the UAE are conducting limited commercial flights with safety as a key consideration, scheduling around 110 flights between the UAE and India on Saturday. Moreover, services from Saudi Arabia and Oman are operational, and Qatar Airways has resumed flights following the partial reopening of Qatar’s airspace.
Air connectivity is also improving in other parts of the region, with Kuwait and Bahrain reopening their airspace and planning limited operations to India. Iraq is permitting restricted flight services for onward travel, while Iran has partially reopened its airspace for cargo and chartered flights. The government has cautioned Indian nationals against traveling to Iran and advised those currently in the country to exit through land borders, with support from the Indian Embassy in Tehran, which has facilitated the departure of over 2,400 Indians.
