Government Reports Deaths of Indian Nationals Amid Ongoing Conflict in West Asia

The Indian government has reported that 16 citizens, including 10 sailors, have died due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, with 75 others injured. Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh provided these details in response to a parliamentary query. The government is coordinating with local authorities to assist the families of the deceased and injured, ensuring swift repatriation of remains and medical care for the injured. Compensation schemes are in place for affected sailors, and the government is actively addressing the challenges faced by Indian nationals in the region. This article delves into the government's efforts and the current situation of Indian citizens in West Asia.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 31, 2026, 13:06 IST

Casualties Among Indian Citizens in West Asia

The government has reported that since the onset of conflict in West Asia this year, 16 Indian nationals, including 10 sailors, have lost their lives, while 75 others have sustained injuries. This information was provided by Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written response to a question posed by CPI(M) MP John Brittas in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Singh stated, "Since the conflict began in 2026, there have been 16 fatalities among Indian citizens in the region, which includes one in Saudi Arabia, two in Kuwait, eight in Oman, one in Iraq, and four in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)." He also noted that 75 Indian nationals have been injured, with 32 in the UAE, 24 in Oman, four in Qatar, 13 in Kuwait, and one each in Saudi Arabia and Israel. Additionally, he mentioned that a separate incident at the Ras Laffan gas plant in Qatar resulted in the deaths of 12 Indian nationals.

Support for Affected Families

The Ministry of External Affairs has coordinated with the governments of the respective countries to provide all possible assistance to the families of the deceased Indian citizens and to arrange for the swift repatriation of their remains to India. Injured individuals have received treatment at local hospitals. Singh indicated that Indian embassies and consulates have maintained communication with local authorities and hospitals to monitor the health status of the injured.

Furthermore, assistance has been provided in connecting families, offering travel options, and facilitating safe returns to India. He mentioned that a compensation of ₹10 lakh is provided under the DGMA Welfare Scheme (Sailor Welfare Fund Society - SWFS) for all incidents related to conflict zones. After necessary investigations and verifications, this amount is promptly made available to the families of the affected sailors.

Additional Compensation for Sailors

The minister explained that sailors covered under collective agreements with relevant unions receive additional compensation for being in conflict zones. The Indian Maritime Union provides ₹12 lakh for officials, while crew members receive ₹10 lakh from the Indian Seafarers Union. In response to another query, Singh noted that since the conflict began in February 2026, the Indian embassy in Tehran has assisted 2,557 Indian nationals in crossing the border into Armenia and Azerbaijan, from where they could return to India.

He added that the government estimates around 7,000 Indian nationals currently reside in Iran, including students pursuing religious studies, medical students, workers, sailors, and fishermen. Singh mentioned that the issues faced by Indian medical students studying in Iran due to the conflict have been raised with Iranian authorities, and efforts are being made to resolve the situation. Indian citizens wishing to travel to Iran have been advised to postpone their trips until the situation stabilizes.

Support for Affected Indian Nationals

In response to another question, the minister stated that the Indian mission has been in contact with over 130 Indian nationals affected by the closure of an Iranian hospital in Dubai, providing them with all possible assistance. He noted that this issue has also been raised with local authorities through diplomatic channels. However, decisions related to visas fall under the sovereign jurisdiction of each country.

In another response, Singh revealed that U.S. border security officials arrested 52 individuals, including 30 Indian nationals, under 'Operation Checkmate.' According to information released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on June 1, 2026, the arrests occurred between May 11 and 15, 2026, in Arizona, where 36 individuals were allegedly operating heavy trucks.

Singh indicated that the U.S. statement suggests that 30 of those arrested were Indian nationals, who were to be deported following due process under U.S. federal law. He clarified that 'Operation Checkmate' was an action taken by U.S. authorities, and the Ministry of External Affairs had no prior knowledge of it. However, immediately after the news of the arrests surfaced, the Indian embassy in Washington contacted U.S. officials to request the names, details, and other information regarding the individuals involved.

The Indian government is currently awaiting confirmation of the identities and other details of these individuals from U.S. CBP.