Amid the rising tensions in West Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday that eight Indian nationals have lost their lives, and one is missing due to various incidents in the region. Additional Secretary (Gulf) at the MEA, Aseem R Mahajan, revealed that an Indian national was killed in an attack in Kuwait the previous day, without providing further details.
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 facilitate the return of the remains to India. Previously, on March 20, Mahajan had reported that six Indian nationals had died and one was missing in different incidents. The latest update on Monday confirmed that a total of eight Indian nationals lost their lives, with one still missing.
The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia disclosed that an Indian national had died in Riyadh due to events on March 18. The MEA also highlighted that approximately 550,000 passengers have returned to India from the region since February 28.
Emphasizing the continuous monitoring of the situation in the Gulf and West Asia, the MEA reiterated the call for restraint, de-escalation, and diplomatic dialogue to resolve the conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, discussing the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and condemning attacks on regional energy infrastructure.
Mahajan affirmed that the safety and welfare of the Indian community in the region are top priorities. The MEA’s Control Room remains active, with Missions and Posts operating round the clock, providing support, issuing advisories, and engaging with Indian associations and companies in the region.
In response to the cancellation of exams due to the conflict, the CBSE has outlined an assessment scheme for Class X and XII results in the region. Academic concerns, including those related to CBSE, ICSE, Kerala boards, and JEE and NEET exams, 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 for assistance. Limited non-scheduled flights between India and the UAE are operational, with numerous flights scheduled for repatriation from the UAE to India. Flights from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar to India are also gradually resuming, while airspace in Kuwait and Bahrain remains closed.
Despite flight restrictions and airspace closures, efforts are ongoing to facilitate the return of Indian nationals from various countries in the region to India through alternate routes.