MEA denies reports of UAE evacuation plan for Indian nationals, calls it 'fake news'

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday (May 11) rubbished reports suggesting India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were preparing a special evacuation agreement for Indian nationals in the Gulf nation, calling the claim entirely unfounded.

Reports trigger clarification

The clarification came following media reports stating that India and the UAE were working on what was described as a “first of its kind” arrangement that would allow the evacuation of Indian workers through Fujairah port in the event of disruptions to air traffic.

The reports also linked the proposed agreement to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming foreign travel schedule, claiming the pact could be signed during a stopover in the UAE before his visit to Europe.

MEA flags misinformation

Rejecting the reports, the MEA’s fact-check unit issued a public advisory on social media platform X, urging citizens not to fall for misinformation circulating online.

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“Fake News Alert! There is no basis in fact for such a story. There is no evacuation being planned. Please stay alert against such false and baseless claims,” the ministry said.

Regional tensions rise

The reports surfaced amid heightened tensions across West Asia, with the region witnessing renewed security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. The situation has affected aviation routes and triggered security alerts in several Gulf countries, including the UAE.

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Earlier on Friday, the UAE government stated that air defence systems had been activated in response to incoming aerial threats.

Elaborating further, it stated in a post on on X, the UAE Ministry of Defence said that “the sounds heard across the country are the result of ongoing engaging operations of missiles and UAVs”.

Safety advisory, diplomatic review

The UAE authorities also appealed for calm among residents. “The public is urged to remain calm and follow the safety and security instructions issued by relevant authorities,” the ministry added.

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The country’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority had also issued a nationwide alert, saying, “Air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat. Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates.”

Amid the regional uncertainty, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held talks this week with Reem Al Hashimy, where both sides reviewed bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on the evolving regional situation.