New Delhi, Updated At : 07:48 AM Mar 02, 2026 IST
India now faces the challenge of safeguarding nearly 10 million Indians working across several West Asian countries as the US-Israel and Iran crisis deepens.
Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have in the past 24 hours separately assured External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar they will ensure the safety of the largely worker Indian community.
India has not decided on evacuations from West Asia, with airspace closed and sea exits deemed impossible. Officials noted Indians in Israel may cross by land into neighbouring Jordan, a route used during the June 2025 crisis.
For Indians in Iran, about 10,000, the government on Monday advised them to leave the country by any means. In June last year, Indians were evacuated from Iran via land to Armenia.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking evacuation of around 1,200 Kashmiri students from Iran.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the Centre is making continuous efforts to ensure the safe return of Indians, describing the situation as “volatile”.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep concern and, in a letter to the Prime Minister, highlighted anxiety among families of expatriates, particularly from Kerala.
The Ministry of External Affairs said all its missions in the region are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued advisories asking them to remain vigilant, stay in contact with missions and follow local security guidance.
The Central Board of Secondary Education has postponed Class X and XII board exams scheduled for March 2 in select countries: Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The MEA on March 1 advised foreign nationals in India whose travel plans are disrupted to approach the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office for visa extensions or to regularise their stay. FRROs will facilitate formalities on a case-by-case basis; contact details are on the Bureau of Immigration website.
International carriers have suspended, rerouted or delayed flights owing to closure of sensitive air corridors. Major Gulf transit hubs, including Dubai, have faced disruptions as airlines avoid conflict-affected airspace.
