India is closely monitoring 28 Indian-flagged merchant ships in the Persian Gulf as tensions escalate due to the Iran-US conflict. Authorities are ensuring the security of 10 million Indians residing in West Asia, with measures to facilitate the return of citizens stranded in the region.
According to Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the shipping ministry, 24 Indian-flagged vessels with 677 Indian seafarers are located west of the Strait of Hormuz, while four vessels with 101 Indian seafarers are to the east. Indians make up approximately 12% of the global seafaring workforce, and recent attacks on merchant vessels have resulted in casualties, including the death of two Indians.
The Directorate General of Shipping has issued advisories for enhanced security measures. Indian embassies are coordinating with local authorities to ensure safety and provide medical assistance. Port operations in India remain stable, with measures to support exporters and maintain the flow of imports and exports.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the priority of diaspora welfare, noting injuries to Indian nationals in Israel and Dubai. The Prime Minister has engaged with leaders from Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, and Israel to ensure Indian nationals’ safety.
Efforts are underway to secure the 9,000 Indian nationals in Iran, with students and pilgrims being relocated. The Indian embassy in Tehran assists citizens in crossing land borders to Armenia and Azerbaijan for flights home. Aseem Mahajan, additional secretary in the external affairs ministry, highlighted the coordination with West Asian governments to assist stranded nationals.
Flight operations have been ramped up in the UAE, with non-scheduled commercial flights catering to transit passengers. Regular flights operate from Saudi Arabian cities, ensuring continued support for Indian nationals.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, March 12, 2026
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