Safety of Indian Seafarers in Gulf Region Confirmed Amid Ongoing Monitoring

The Indian government has assured the safety of all Indian seafarers in the Gulf and West Asia, reporting no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels. With over 2,084 seafarers repatriated, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is actively coordinating with various stakeholders to ensure their welfare. The Shipping Control Room remains operational, handling thousands of communications. Flights continue to operate from the region, with ongoing support for Indian nationals. The Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring the situation, providing regular updates and assistance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 12, 2026, 21:02 IST

Indian Seafarers Remain Safe in Gulf and West Asia

New Delhi: The government has confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the Gulf and West Asia are safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged ships reported in the last 24 hours.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, via the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), has successfully facilitated the return of over 2,084 Indian seafarers, including 75 in the past day from various Gulf locations.

According to an official statement, port operations across India are functioning normally, with no congestion observed. The Ministry is actively coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions, and maritime stakeholders to ensure the welfare of seafarers and maintain smooth maritime operations.

The Shipping Control Room is operational 24/7, having managed 6,053 calls and over 12,787 emails since its activation. In the last 24 hours alone, it received 80 calls and 112 emails.

Indian Missions and Posts in the region are in constant communication with the Indian community, providing assistance and issuing advisories for their safety and well-being.

The Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring the situation in the Gulf and West Asia.

Indian Missions continue to operate helplines around the clock, offering proactive support to Indian nationals. Regular updates are being provided, including local government guidelines, flight statuses, and consular services.

The ministry stated, "Our Missions are actively collaborating with Indian community associations, professional groups, and companies in the region."

Flights are still operating from countries with open airspace. Since February 28, approximately 897,000 passengers have traveled from the region to India.

In the UAE, airlines are conducting limited non-scheduled commercial flights to India based on operational and safety assessments, with around 95 flights anticipated today.

Flights are also available from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to Indian destinations. With Qatar's airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is expected to operate 8–10 flights to India today.

The ministry noted that Iran's airspace remains closed, but travel for Indian nationals from Iran is being facilitated through Armenia and Azerbaijan to India. Additionally, Israeli airspace is also closed, with travel being arranged through Jordan and Egypt.