Amid the escalating tensions in West Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday that eight Indian nationals have lost their lives, with one individual still missing in various incidents within the region. Additional Secretary (Gulf) at MEA, Aseem R Mahajan, revealed during an inter-ministerial briefing on the West Asia situation that an Indian national tragically died in an attack in Kuwait the day before.
The circumstances surrounding this death were not detailed. Expressing condolences to the deceased’s family, Mahajan stated that the Indian Mission in Kuwait is in contact with the family and working closely with local authorities to provide assistance and ensure the swift repatriation of the remains to India.
During a previous briefing on March 20, Mahajan had reported six Indian nationals deceased and one missing due to different incidents. However, in the latest update on Monday, he revised the numbers, confirming that a total of eight Indian nationals had lost their lives while one individual remains missing in various incidents.
The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia disclosed that an Indian national lost their life in Riyadh as a result of the events on March 18. The MEA also disclosed that approximately 550,000 passengers have returned to India from the region since February 28.
Emphasizing the continuous monitoring of the evolving situation in the Gulf and West Asia, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated the call for restraint, de-escalation, and the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to bring a swift end to the conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia on March 28, discussing the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and condemning attacks on regional energy infrastructure.
Mahajan stressed that the safety, security, and welfare of the large Indian community in the region remain a top priority. The MEA’s special Control Room remains operational, with missions and posts in the region offering round-the-clock assistance through helplines, advisories, and engagement with Indian community associations and companies.
Regarding academic matters, including CBSE, ICSE, Kerala boards, and JEE and NEET exams, the MEA assured that concerns are being addressed through regular communication with parents and students. Special attention is being given to Indian seafarers, with Indian missions maintaining contact with crew members on vessels across the region to provide necessary support. Limited non-scheduled flights between India and the UAE are still operational, with around 85 flights expected from the UAE to India on Monday.
Flight operations from Saudi Arabia and Oman to various Indian destinations are ongoing, and Qatar Airways is anticipated to operate 10 flights to India on March 30. However, airspace closures in Kuwait and Bahrain persist. Jazeera Airways and Gulf Air have been operating non-scheduled commercial flights from Saudi Arabia to India. Efforts continue to facilitate the return of Indian nationals from various countries in the region to India due to flight restrictions and airspace closures.