Over 600,000 Indians Return from West Asia Amid Escalating Regional Conflict

New Delhi. As the conflict between the US-Israel and Iran enters its second month, a senior Indian government official announced on Thursday that over 600,000 passengers have returned to India from the West Asia region due to security concerns.

He also provided updates regarding Indian citizens injured in the UAE on Wednesday and emphasized that the safety and welfare of the Indian community in the region remain the government's top priority.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, Asim R. Mahajan, shared this information during an inter-ministerial briefing in the capital. Mahajan stated, 'Since February 28, approximately 624,000 passengers have traveled from the region to India. Airlines are operating limited special flights between the UAE and India.'

Approximately 90 flights are expected to operate from the UAE to various destinations in India on Thursday. According to him, flights are also operating from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to destinations in India.

Mahajan said, 'Qatar Airways is expected to operate 8 to 10 flights to India today. Airspace in Kuwait and Bahrain remains closed. Kuwait's Jazeera Airways and Bahrain's Gulf Air have been operating flights to various Indian destinations from Dammam airport in Saudi Arabia. This has facilitated travel for Indian citizens from Kuwait and Bahrain.'

Due to the closure of airspace, flights from Iran are being routed through Armenia and Azerbaijan to India. Similarly, he noted that the government is facilitating travel from Israel via Egypt and Jordan, and from Iraq via Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain to Saudi Arabia and onwards to India.

Regarding the incident in the UAE on Wednesday, Mahajan stated, 'One Indian citizen was injured in an attack in Umm Al Quwain, UAE, yesterday and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. Our consulate is providing all necessary assistance to the injured Indian citizen.'

According to Gulf News, an Indian citizen was injured when drone debris fell near an industrial establishment in the Umm Al Thawab area. In his remarks, Mahajan stated that the Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Gulf and West Asia region, and ensuring the safety and evacuation of the large Indian community in the area is the government's highest priority.