Over 2.2 Lakh Indians Return Home Amid Middle East Conflict

Following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East on February 28, around 2.2 lakh Indian nationals have returned to India so far. Authorities expect about 45 flights from various Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, to arrive at Indian airports today.

Aseem Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) at the Ministry of External Affairs, said that flights from Qatar have resumed after the country partially reopened its airspace. Three flights each are expected to depart for various destinations in India today and tomorrow.

Meanwhile, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that about 550 Indian citizens have entered Armenia through land routes, while another 90 Indians crossed from Iran into Azerbaijan.

Officials also noted that the airspace of Kuwait remains closed, though special evacuation flights are expected to start soon. Travelers from Bahrain and Iraq are being facilitated to transit through Saudi Arabia.

Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said that an Indian-flagged oil tanker, Jag Ladki, which departed from the UAE on March 14, is heading towards India carrying 81,000 tonnes of crude oil. The vessel and all Indian crew members on board are safe, and it is expected to reach Mundra Port tomorrow.

In addition, an LPG carrier, Shivalik, transporting 40,000 metric tonnes of LPG from the Persian Gulf, arrived at Mundra Port in Gujarat this evening. Another Indian LPG vessel, Nanda Devi, is expected to reach the country tomorrow.

However, 22 ships are still stranded in the Persian Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz, as the situation in the region continues to affect maritime movement