The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed that around 1 million Indians return home as West Asia grapples with evolving security conditions and amid airspace disruptions. MEA Joint Secretary (Gulf) Aseem Mahajan, in an extensive inter-ministerial briefing on Wednesday, confirmed that since February 28, approximately 9,84,000 (around 1 million) Indian passengers have successfully returned home, marking one of the largest facilitation exercises in recent years.
"We continue to monitor developments in West Asia. We are in constant touch with States and Union Territories, and our Mission posts are helping people round the clock. Since February 28, around 9,84,000 passengers have returned. Our efforts are focused on keeping people safe, with dedicated control rooms issuing updated advisories containing information related to local government guidelines, flight status, and travel situations."
"On flight operations, services continue from regions where airspace is open. Since February, around 9,84,000 passengers have been facilitated. Airlines continue to offer limited non-scheduled commercial flights between the UAE and India. Today, around 100 flights are expected to operate between the UAE and India."
Highlighting the scale of ongoing facilitation efforts, Mahajan noted that Mission posts are "operating round the clock to support Indian nationals, with special focus on passenger movement, consular assistance, and travel coordination across affected regions. Our consular services are supporting Indian communities on the ground. We are also engaged with Indian community organisations, professional groups, and Indian companies to address their concerns. Our missions are extending assistance and facilitating communication with families in India."
Dedicated hubs are issuing real-time advisories regarding local government guidelines and shifting travel situations.
"Flights are also operating from Saudi Arabia and Oman. Qatar's airspace is partially open. Kuwait airspace remains closed due to restrictions, but connectivity to India continues via Saudi Arabia. Bahrain airspace is open, and Gulf Air is operating via Dammam. Iraq airspace is open with restricted operations, with connectivity via Jordan and Saudi Arabia."
Beyond general passenger movement, the government has targeted vulnerable groups and those in high-conflict zones.
"So far, 2,323 Indian nationals have been assisted in travel to Armenia and Azerbaijan onward. This includes 1,028 students and 657 Indian fishermen. Israel's airspace is partially open."
MEA says that it continues to maintain constant coordination with Indian States and Union Territories to manage the arrival and integration of returnees while monitoring the "highly fluid" regional security environment.
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