MEA Says Diaspora Safety in West Asia Top Priority, as Flights Operated to Fly out Indians

India on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) confirmed that two Indian nationals lost their lives and one other was missing in the attacks in the West Asian war between Iran and the US-Israel combine, even as it stressed that the welfare of the Indian diaspora was the nation’s priority.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during the Inter-Ministerial media briefing on West Asia, said the welfare and safety of India’s large diaspora in West Asia remained the government’s “utmost priority” as the conflict continues to escalate.

“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,” the MEA Spokesperson said.

The loss of Indian lives and injury to another happened on board a cargo ship that came under attack in the Gulf waters, and several other Indians were also injured in previous missile and drone attacks in the region, including one each injured in Israel and Dubai.

“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. The MEA is in touch with the injured persons,” Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal further said that all Indian missions in the region are in regular contact with community members and coordinating support.

To assist Indian nationals, the External Affairs Ministry set up a special control room in New Delhi that operates round the clock, handling emergency calls and coordinating with Indian embassies and consulates across affected countries.

“We remain committed to the welfare of our citizens and nationals who reside in the GCC and West Asian countries. All our missions in the region are in regular touch with our community members,” he said.

Jaiswal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in touch with leaders from the West Asian nations and so was External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

“You would have seen that our Prime Minister has spoken with several leaders in the region, including leaders from the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Israel.

“The External Affairs Minister is also in regular contact with his counterparts from these countries, as well as Iran. Today, he also had several conversations with his counterparts, and those details have been made available to you,” Jaiswal added.

He noted that the Indian embassies in these nations were fully operational and on high alert.

The government is extending assistance to all Indian nationals, including students and pilgrims, who want to leave the war-torn region and return to India.

Iran’s neighbouring nations, such as Armenia and Azerbaijan, were receiving Indians transiting to those countries by land from Iran, and for onward commercial flights to India.

Meanwhile, India pushed ahead with travel arrangements for Indians exiting West Asia through commercial flights, with the first batch of 177 Indians returning to New Delhi on a chartered flight on Wednesday (March 11).

The group of Indians flew out of Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport and were seen off by India’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Noor Rahman Sheikh.

The Indian mission in Beirut posted on X that the flight was arranged by the employer of these Indians, who flew out of Beirut.

From Qatar, another 500 Indians travelled to India on a Qatar Airways flight the same day to New Delhi and Mumbai.

More Qatar Airways flights would be operated on Thursday (March 12) to New Delhi and Mumbai to fly out the Indians leaving the West Asian region.

On X, India issued advisories to the Indian community to remain cautious and to follow official instructions.