The widening conflict in the Middle East has cast a long shadow over the tranquil hills of Dharamshala, leaving international tourists in the popular Himachal Pradesh retreat increasingly stranded and anxious.
Frequent flight cancellations and logistical hurdles, particularly at Kangra airport, have thrown travel itineraries into chaos. For many visitors, the tension in West Asia is no longer a distant news report but a practical barrier to getting home.
Among those caught in the disruption is Vila, an Israeli tourist whose journey home has been indefinitely delayed. "I was supposed to fly back to Israel this morning, but my flight was cancelled," she told reporters. "Now I’m just trying to find any way back. In Israel, people are in shelters—we have them in almost every home. My only message is that humanity is one, and I pray for peace. I will find a way, but it may take days."
The uncertainty is also weighing on the Indian diaspora. Surender Aggarwal, an NRI visiting the hill station, expressed concern that the "worrying" war situation could derail his return journey later this week. "Any further cancellations of international flights would completely upend our personal programmes," he said. "We can only hope the airports remain open."
While domestic flights within India have remained largely unaffected, the knock-on effect on international connections is undeniable. Dr Vinay Gupta, a surgeon visiting from Delhi, noted that the disruptions are particularly harsh on those with strictly timed holidays. "If a flight is cancelled, it’s very difficult for them to finish their tour as planned. The authorities really need to look after these passengers," he remarked.
The timing is particularly unfortunate for the local economy. In 2025, Dharamshala welcomed over 30,000 foreign visitors — the highest figure since the pandemic — signalling a hard-won recovery for the region's tourism industry.
The current wave of cancellations follows a massive escalation in hostilities, with coordinated military strikes by Israel and the United States targeting sites in Iran. This has led to retaliatory threats and the intermittent shutdown of airspace across Iran, Israel, and Iraq.
Also read: Dalai Lama Enthronement anniversary: CTA lauds India's support
Follow us
