OVER 52,000 INDIANS RETURN FROM GULF COUNTRIES IN A WEEK AMID MIDDLE EAST WAR

Tue 10 March 2026:

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday that more than 52,000 Indians have safely returned to India from the Gulf region between March 1 and 7, as the government continues to monitor the evolving situation in West Asia.

In an update, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government is closely tracking developments in the region, particularly concerning the welfare of Indian nationals who were stranded during transit or on short-term visits.

Following the partial reopening of airspace in the region in recent days, several Indian and foreign airlines have resumed commercial and non-scheduled flights, enabling stranded passengers to return home.

“By now, more than 52,000 Indians have availed these flights and travelled safely from the Gulf region to India between March 1–7, 2026, of which 32,107 passengers travelled on Indian carriers,” the MEA said, adding that more flights are planned in the coming days.

The ministry advised Indian nationals in the region to follow local authorities’ guidelines and the advisories issued by Indian embassies and consulates, which have set up 24×7 helplines to assist citizens affected by the ongoing situation.

The MEA has also established a dedicated Special Control Room to respond to queries from Indian nationals and their families.

The government said the safety and welfare of Indians abroad remains its top priority, adding that it is in constant engagement with governments across the region to facilitate assistance for those who need help.

The United States–Israel military campaign against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, has involved airstrikes on multiple targets across the country, escalating tensions across the Middle East. One of the most tragic incidents reported during the campaign was the bombing of the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab, a coastal city in Hormozgan province in southern Iran, which drew widespread condemnation.

Iranian authorities also reported the deaths of several senior military figures in the attacks, including high-ranking commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Chief of the General Staff, the Defence Minister, and other top officials.

In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks on US military bases in several Gulf countries, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, along with direct strikes on Israel. These retaliatory actions reportedly began within hours of the initial US–Israel strikes, rapidly escalating the situation into a broader regional conflict now entering its second week.

The escalation has triggered significant humanitarian, geopolitical, and economic consequences. Reports indicate that more than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran, while US forces have also suffered casualties, including at least three troops killed and several others wounded. Large-scale displacement has also been reported, with around 100,000 people fleeing Tehran in the first days of the conflict.

The attack on the Minab school has drawn particular international outrage. UN human rights experts have condemned the strike as a possible war crime and called for independent investigations, while funerals for the victims sparked widespread anger and mourning.

The conflict has also led to international backlash and diplomatic tensions.

Beyond the humanitarian impact, the war is beginning to have major economic and strategic consequences. Disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, located close to Minab, have raised concerns about global oil supplies, with analysts warning of potential spikes in oil prices. The attacks on US bases in allied Gulf states have also strained regional alliances and risk drawing more countries into the conflict.