The Government of India is closely watching the situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, with the safety and well-being of Indian citizens remaining its top priority.

Speaking at a briefing in New Delhi, Aseem R. Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said that around 4.02 lakh passengers have returned to India since February 28 as travel arrangements continue to improve. He explained that flight operations are gradually stabilising, although some restrictions are still in place due to the ongoing regional tensions.

In the United Arab Emirates, a limited number of special, non-scheduled flights are operating, with about 85 flights expected to arrive in India in a single day. Regular and special flights are also continuing from Saudi Arabia and Oman, helping many Indians return home.

Mahajan added that Qatar’s airspace is partially open, and Qatar Airways is expected to operate around nine special flights to India.

However, not all countries have reopened their skies. Kuwait and Bahrain airspaces remain closed, making direct travel difficult for Indian citizens in those countries.

To manage this, alternative arrangements have been put in place. Airlines like Jazeera Airways and Gulf Air are operating special flights from airports in Saudi Arabia, such as Dammam and Al Qaisumah. These flights are helping Indians in Kuwait and Bahrain travel to Saudi Arabia first and then return to India.

The government is also assisting Indian nationals in other affected countries. People in Iran are being helped to travel via Armenia and Azerbaijan, while those in Israel are being routed through Jordan to reach India safely.

Officials said that India continues to coordinate closely with airlines and regional authorities to ensure safe and smooth travel for its citizens during this challenging time.