Six Indians Dead, One Missing in Gulf Amid West Asia Conflict; Over 3 Lakh Return Since February 28
Six Indian nationals have lost their lives, and one remains missing in the Gulf region amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said during an inter-ministerial briefing in New Delhi.
Addressing the briefing, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the MEA, Aseem R. Mahajan, confirmed the casualties while underlining that Indian diplomatic missions across the region are actively engaged with local authorities to manage the crisis. “Six Indian nationals have unfortunately lost their lives, and one is missing in various incidents. Our missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, and the UAE are in regular touch with the concerned authorities regarding the missing Indian national and for the early repatriation of mortal remains,” he said.
Mahajan added that Indian missions are working closely with local authorities to trace the missing individual and facilitate the early repatriation of the deceased to their families back home.
In addition, more than three lakh Indian nationals have returned from the Gulf and West Asia region since February 28, Mahajan said.
India has one of the largest diaspora populations in the Gulf, with millions of workers employed across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. The current conflict has put tens of thousands of Indians in precarious situations, particularly those working in conflict-adjacent zones or in countries directly affected by spillover violence.
The MEA has been operating a dedicated helpline and crisis management cell to handle distress calls from Indian nationals in the region. Officials confirmed that evacuation efforts are being coordinated in real time with the respective host governments.
