1.4 lakh Indians helped return from US-Iran war zone, Centre informs Lok Sabha
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Lok Sabha on Friday that Indian diplomatic missions facilitated the return of approximately 1.4 lakh Indian citizens during the US-Iran war. The information was shared in a written statement, which detailed the steps taken by embassies and consulates to assist nationals affected by the West Asia crisis.
The minister said Indian missions helped citizens by arranging transit visas, local accommodation, transportation and cross-border travel. The conflict had severely disrupted air travel and land routes, leaving many Indians stranded in various parts of the region. Missions coordinated with local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure safe passage for those wishing to return to India.
Sharing a country-wise breakdown, Singh said 1,00,000 Indian nationals were assisted through Qatar. This was made possible after the partial reopening of Qatar's airspace, allowing transit travel for stranded passengers. Another 2,500 Indian nationals were assisted through Bahrain, with missions facilitating Saudi transit visas for their onward journey to India. The statement did not specify the routes or countries involved in assisting the remaining citizens covered by the overall figure.
The war between the United States and Iran led to temporary closures of airspace and land borders in parts of West Asia, affecting thousands of foreign nationals. The Indian community in the region includes a large number of workers, professionals and students. The government's response, as described in the statement, involved coordinated efforts across multiple missions to bring citizens back.
The written statement was tabled in response to a parliamentary question. The government has faced scrutiny over the safety of Indian nationals in conflict zones and the effectiveness of its evacuation mechanisms. Friday's disclosure offers one of the few official figures on the scale of the operation, with the total of 1.4 lakh indicating a significant logistical effort.
Regional partners played a crucial role in the operation. Qatar and Bahrain emerged as key transit points due to their proximity to the conflict and their ability to handle large numbers of passengers. The arrangement of transit visas and accommodation suggests close coordination between Indian missions and the governments of these countries.
No information was provided in the statement about casualties or injuries among Indian nationals during the conflict. The minister also did not give a timeline for the return process. The focus of the disclosure was on the number of citizens assisted and the mechanisms used to bring them home safely.
India has carried out similar repatriation exercises in past crises, including during the Gulf War and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While the scale and circumstances vary, the government has often relied on diplomatic coordination and support from friendly nations to evacuate its citizens. The West Asia operation appears to follow that pattern, with the statement highlighting the use of multiple transit hubs and cross-border travel arrangements.
