New Delhi, April 23 (ANI): Amid the evolving security situation in West Asia and the Gulf, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said more than 12 lakh people have returned to India from the region and regular flights continue to operate from several countries.
Aseem R Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) at the MEA, told an inter-ministerial briefing in New Delhi that the overall flight situation is improving, with additional services to India. “Since February 28, around 12 lakh 12 thousand passengers have travelled from the region to India,” he said.
Mahajan said airlines are operating limited commercial flights based on operational and safety considerations between the UAE and India; about 110 flights from the UAE to India were expected on Thursday. Flights are also operating from airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to various Indian destinations. Qatar’s airspace is partially open and Qatar Airways is flying to multiple Indian cities.
Kuwait’s airspace remains closed, but Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways are running non-scheduled commercial flights from Dammam in Saudi Arabia to India. Gulf Air is operating from Bahrain, and Iraq’s airspace is open with limited flights that can be used for onward travel to India. Iran’s airspace is partially open for cargo and chartered flights; the Indian embassy in Tehran is facilitating movement of nationals via Armenia and Azerbaijan. So far, 2,428 Indians have moved out of Iran into Armenia and Azerbaijan, including 1,096 students and 657 fishermen. Israel’s airspace is open with limited operations usable for onward travel.
Mahajan stressed that the welfare of Indian seafarers remains a high government priority. Missions are extending assistance, coordinating with local authorities, providing consular support, and helping with requests to return to India.
The MEA has a dedicated special control room operating round-the-clock to respond to queries from Indian nationals and families. Missions and consulates in the region run 24/7 helplines and are in close contact with local governments. The ministry coordinates with state governments and union territories to share advisories and align efforts. Advisories include local guidelines, flight and travel updates, consular services and welfare measures. Missions are actively engaging resident Indian communities, associations, organisations, professional groups and companies to address concerns.
Separately, amid the fragile ceasefire, the Trump administration is reportedly pushing for more consistent diplomatic engagement from Tehran. White House officials say the President seeks a “unified” stance from Iranian leadership on US overtures to de-escalate the crisis. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US has not set a firm deadline for the truce extension and stressed that any permanent agreement would require Iran to surrender its entire stockpile of enriched uranium. The US has indicated a naval blockade will continue until Tehran presents a formal proposal and talks produce a definitive outcome.
Iran has strongly condemned these measures. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the naval restrictions an “act of war” and a breach of the ceasefire, warning Tehran is prepared to oppose coercive actions. (ANI)
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