New Delhi [India], April 1 (ANI): About 598,000 passengers have returned to India amid the evolving security situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, a senior government official said on Wednesday.
He also said that following an incident caused by debris from an interception in Dubai on Tuesday, three Indian nationals sustained minor injuries, and the consulate is in close contact with them while extending all necessary assistance. Authorities in Dubai confirmed that debris from an interception that fell on residential areas in southern Dubai caused minor injuries to two Indian nationals, one Bangladeshi national, and one Sri Lankan national.
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on the latest developments in West Asia, Aseem R. Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the overall flight situation continues to improve, with additional flights operating from the region to various destinations in India.
“Since February 28, around 598,000 passengers have returned from the region to India. Airlines continue to operate limited non-scheduled flights based on operational and safety considerations between the UAE and India,” Mahajan said.
He added that around 90 flights were expected to operate from the UAE to India on Wednesday.
“Flights are operating from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to different destinations in India. With Qatar airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is expected to operate around eight to 10 flights to India today. Kuwait and Bahrain airspace remain closed. Jazeera Airways of Kuwait and Gulf Air of Bahrain have been operating non-scheduled commercial flights from Dammam airport in Saudi Arabia to various destinations in India,” he said.
Mahajan further noted that due to flight restrictions and airspace closures, the travel of Indian nationals is being facilitated through alternative routes: from Iran via Armenia and Azerbaijan; from Israel via Egypt and Jordan; from Iraq via Jordan and Saudi Arabia; and from Kuwait and Bahrain via Saudi Arabia.
He emphasized that the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Gulf and West Asia, adding that a dedicated control room remains operational to assist Indian nationals and their families. Indian missions across the region are working round the clock and remain in close coordination with local authorities.
“In the attacks yesterday in Dubai, three Indian nationals sustained minor injuries. They are receiving medical treatment at local hospitals, and one has since been discharged. Our consulate is in close contact with the injured Indian nationals and their families and is rendering all assistance,” Mahajan said.
He also confirmed that the mortal remains of two Indian nationals—one who died on March 11 in an incident involving MT Safe Sea Vishnu off the coast of Iraq, and another who passed away in Kuwait on March 29—arrived in India earlier in the day.
“We have been in regular contact with their families and express our deepest condolences to them during this difficult time,” he added.
His remarks come as the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran has entered its second month, with ripple effects across the region and a significant impact on global energy supplies. (ANI)
About The Author
