More than 12 lakh passengers have travelled to India from West Asia since February 28 amid the evolving security situation in the region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, highlighting continued evacuation support and partial restoration of flight services.
The details were shared by Aseem R Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) at the Ministry of External Affairs, during an inter-ministerial briefing in the national capital.
“Since February 28, around 12 lakh 12 thousand passengers have travelled from the region to India,” Mahajan said, noting that the flight situation has been gradually improving, with additional services being introduced from multiple countries in the Gulf.
He said airlines continue to operate limited commercial flights between the UAE and India based on operational and safety considerations, with around 110 flights expected to operate on Thursday. Flight services are also running from Saudi Arabia and Oman to various Indian destinations.
Mahajan noted that Qatar’s airspace is partially open, with Qatar Airways operating flights to India. Kuwait’s airspace remains closed, but Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways are conducting non-scheduled commercial operations from Dammam in Saudi Arabia. Gulf Air continues services from Bahrain, while Iraq’s airspace is open with limited connectivity enabling onward travel.
Also read: India brings back 2,361 nationals stranded in Iran
Iran’s airspace, he said, is partially open for cargo and chartered flights. The Indian embassy in Tehran is facilitating the movement of nationals via Armenia and Azerbaijan. So far, 2,428 Indian nationals have exited Iran through these routes, including 1,096 students and 657 fishermen.
Mahajan emphasised that the welfare of Indian seafarers in the region remains a key priority. Missions are extending assistance through coordination with local authorities, providing consular support, and helping with requests for repatriation.
He said the MEA has set up a dedicated control room to respond to queries from Indian nationals and their families. Embassies and consulates in the region are operating round-the-clock helplines and remain in close contact with local governments and Indian community organisations.
“Our missions are actively engaged with the resident Indian community. They are regularly interacting with associations, professional groups and companies to address concerns,” he said.
The MEA is also issuing regular advisories covering local regulations, flight availability, consular services and welfare measures to keep citizens informed.
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