Since January, at least 16 Indian nationals, including 10 seafarers, have died in the ongoing conflict in West Asia, with 75 others injured, as reported to the Rajya Sabha by the government. The Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, noted that the deceased were Indians working in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, and the UAE. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) specified that the fatalities included eight in Oman, four in the UAE, two in Kuwait, and one each in Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
The highest number of injuries was reported from the UAE (32), followed by Oman (24), Kuwait (13), Qatar (4), Saudi Arabia (1), and Israel (1). Additionally, 12 Indian nationals died in an unrelated accident at the Ras Laffan Gas Facility in Qatar. The MEA emphasized that Indian missions in the region are actively collaborating with local authorities to provide support, including medical assistance and repatriation of remains.
For seafarers who perish in conflict zones, the government offers an ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh through the Directorate General of Merchant Shipping Welfare Scheme. Additional compensation is available for those covered under collective bargaining agreements. The MEA also mentioned that compensation claims are pursued by recruitment agencies with insurers, and in five cases, payments have already been made.
To assist stranded Indians during regional crises, the government coordinated evacuations and provided support for travel arrangements. In cases where commercial flights were suspended, assistance included transit visas and relocation to neighboring countries. The MEA has established a comprehensive support system, including emergency helplines and travel advisories, to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian nationals in conflict-affected areas.
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