Mahajan said that the government is continuing to facilitate the movement of Indian nationals through alternative routes. Screengrab: ANI
Over 6 lakh citizens returned amid West Asia conflict: MEA
Government ramps up non-scheduled flights and alternative travel corridors as regional airspace disruptions continue across the Gulf.
The Centre on Thursday (April 2) said that more than 6 lakh passengers have returned to India since February amid the West Asian conflict, which entered its second month.
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing, Aseem R Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) at the Ministry of External Affairs, further stated that non-scheduled flights are being operated by airlines and around 80 flights are expected to operate from the UAE to various destinations in India on Thursday.
"Since February 28th, around 6, 24,000 passengers have travelled from the region to India. Airlines continue to operate limited non-scheduled flights based on operational and safety considerations between the UAE and India. Around 90 flights are expected to operate from the UAE to various destinations in India today,” said Mahajan.
Flight operations across region
Elaborating further, he said that flights were also operating from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to different destinations in India.
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"With the Qatar airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is expected to operate around 8 to 10 flights to India today. Kuwait and Bahrain airspace remains closed. Jazeera Airways of Kuwait and Gulf Air of Bahrain have been operating non-scheduled commercial flights from Dammam airport of Saudi Arabia to various destinations in India. This is facilitating the travel of Indian nationals from Kuwait and Bahrain", Mahajan added as quoted by ANI.
Alternate routes facilitated
The Additional Secretary (Gulf) further informed that in view of ongoing flight restrictions and closure of airspace in parts of the region, the government is continuing to facilitate the movement of Indian nationals through alternative routes.
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These include travel from Iran via Armenia and Azerbaijan to India, from Israel through Egypt and Jordan to India, from Iraq through Jordan and Saudi Arabia to India, and from Kuwait and Bahrain through Saudi Arabia to India.
On injured Indian in UAE
Providing an update on the incident reported on Wednesday in the UAE, where an Indian national sustained injuries following a drone interception, Mahajan said, "In an attack yesterday in Umm Al Quwain in the UAE, an indian national was injured and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. Our consulate is extending all assistance to the injured Indian national."
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According to a report by Gulf News on Wednesday, citing the Umm Al Quwain Government Media Office, one Indian national was injured after debris from an intercepted drone fell near an industrial facility in the Umm Al Thaoub area.
Monitoring and assistance measures
Mahajan, in his remarks, stated that the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Gulf and West Asia region, ensuring that the safety, security, and welfare of the large Indian community in the region remain the highest priority.
He added that a dedicated special control room remains operational to assist Indian nationals and their families, and that Indian missions and posts across the region are functioning round the clock, with regular updates being shared with students, nationals, seafarers, and resident Indian communities.