Over 8 million Indians living and working in the Gulf region are facing a humanitarian crisis as the US-Israel war on Iran has led to widespread airspace closures and escalating missile attacks. Stranded workers, students, and tourists are pleading for immediate government intervention.
Airspace Closures Trap Indians Multiple Gulf countries including UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman have closed their airspace due to Iran’s missile and drone strikes targeting regional infrastructure. Airlines including Air India, IndiGo, Air Arabia, and Emirates have either cancelled or diverted hundreds of flights. Indians who came to the Gulf for work or vacation find themselves unable to leave as airports remain shut, especially in Dubai.
MEA’s Emergency Response & Helpline Numbers India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has activated a 24/7 centralized emergency control room in New Delhi, along with dedicated help desks at Indian missions across Gulf nations including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, Muscat, and Riyadh.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefed Parliament and assured that the government is ‘closely watching every development.’ The MEA has urged stranded Indians and their relatives to reach out using the following official contact details:
New Delhi 24/7 Control Room:
- Toll-Free Helpline: 1800-11-8797
- Phone Numbers: +91-11-23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905
- WhatsApp Assistance: +91-8130311142
- Email ID: situationroom@mea.gov.in
For Indians in UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi):
- Emergency Contact: +971-50-8995583
- Email: cons.dubai@mea.gov.in
(The MEA has advised citizens to keep their passports and essential documents handy and avoid non-essential travel within the Gulf cities).
Ground Reality in Gulf Reports from Indians in the Gulf paint a dire picture. ‘We came in search of work, now we are searching for bunkers,’ said one Indian worker in Dubai in a viral video message. Many workers fear for their safety as Iranian drone strikes have caused explosions in Gulf cities. Hotels and accommodations are overflowing as stranded travelers look for shelter. Food and essential supplies are also under pressure in some areas.
India’s Diaspora Economy The Gulf Indian diaspora is the largest group of Indian overseas workers, contributing billions in remittances annually. Any prolonged conflict poses a massive economic risk for India. Remittances from Gulf nations account for nearly 45% of India’s total inward remittances. A return of millions of workers could strain India’s job market and reduce foreign exchange earnings significantly.
What Can Be Done The Indian government is exploring evacuation options using Indian Navy vessels and special civilian flights once airspace partially reopens. India is also in diplomatic contact with UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar – nations that have significant Indian populations – to ensure the safety of Indian nationals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held calls with leaders of Gulf countries, stressing the importance of protecting Indian workers caught in the conflict zone.