New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Wednesday that two Indian nationals have been killed and another remains missing as the escalating conflict in West Asia continues to threaten the safety of the region’s massive expatriate population.

During an inter-ministerial briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the casualties took place on merchant vessels targeted in conflict-ridden waters. In addition to the fatalities, the ministry reported that several Indians have sustained injuries across the Gulf, including one individual in Israel and another in Dubai.

"As for the casualties, we have lost two Indian nationals, and one remains missing. We express our condolences to their families. The incidents of death and the missing person occurred when they were on merchant vessels that came under attack," Jaiswal said.

The spokesperson underscored that the protection of the approximately 10 million Indian citizens residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is the government's "utmost priority."

"As you know, we have a large diaspora in GCC countries, numbering around 10 million. The welfare of our diaspora is of utmost priority and importance to us," Jaiswal said. He added that while a few Indians have been wounded, the MEA "is in regular touch with them" and that regional missions are coordinating support for the community.

To manage the crisis, the ministry has established a 24-hour control room in the capital to field emergency inquiries and synchronise efforts with embassies and consulates. Jaiswal noted that the centre received 75 calls and 11 emails on Tuesday alone, with officials "doing our very best to assist people."

The diplomatic response has reached the highest levels of government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held direct discussions with leaders in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Israel. Simultaneously, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar remains in constant dialogue with his regional counterparts, including those in Iran.

"You would have seen that our Prime Minister has spoken with several leaders in the region," Jaiswal said, noting that Jaishankar's most recent conversations took place as recently as Wednesday.

The regional volatility stems from the Feb. 28 joint military strikes by the United States and Israel, which resulted in the death of Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In the ensuing retaliation, Iran has targeted U.S. and Israeli assets across various Gulf nations, severely disrupting international shipping lanes and destabilising global energy markets.

With inputs from ANI