The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday said it is closely monitoring developments in West Asia and the Gulf region, with the safety, security, and well-being of the Indian community remaining its highest priority.
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing in the national capital on the situation arising out of the conflict in West Asia, Additional Secretary (Gulf), MEA, Aseem R Mahajan, said that since February 28, around 4,02,000 passengers have returned from the region to India, with flight operations continuing to improve.
“In the United Arab Emirates, limited non-scheduled flights continue, with around 85 flights expected to arrive in India today. Flights are also operating from Saudi Arabia and Oman to India. Qatar airspace remains partially open, with Qatar Airways expected to operate around nine non-scheduled flights to India today,” Mahajan stated.
He added that Kuwait and Bahrain airspaces remain closed.
“Jazeera Airways is operating flights to various destinations in India from the Al Qaisumah Airport (AQI) in Saudi Arabia. Gulf Air is also operating special non-scheduled commercial flights from Dammam Airport in Saudi Arabia to India. This is facilitating the travel of Indian nationals from Kuwait and Bahrain to India,” Mahajan said.
He noted that transit of Indian nationals continues to be facilitated via Saudi Arabia for those in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.
“Indian nationals in Iran are being assisted in travelling to India via Armenia and Azerbaijan. Indian nationals in Israel are being facilitated to travel to India via Jordan,” Mahajan added.