India Begins Large-Scale Efforts to Bring Back Travellers from Qatar, UAE Amid West Asia Crisis
By |Arvind Jadhav
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, India has intensified efforts to bring back citizens stranded in countries like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Escalating tensions in the region have led to major disruptions in international air travel, especially across key transit hubs. Airports in cities like Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi witnessed cancellations and delays. As a result, thousands of Indian passengers were left stranded at airports and transit points.
The Indian government, through the Ministry of External Affairs, has launched a large-scale coordination effort to manage the crisis. Special flights, diplomatic coordination, and emergency support systems have been activated to ensure the safe return of citizens. Control rooms and helplines have also been set up to assist affected travellers. Indian embassies in the Gulf region are actively working on registrations and travel arrangements.
According to official estimates, more than 4.26 lakh passengers have already returned to India from West Asia since late February. This reflects the scale and urgency of the ongoing evacuation and travel management operation. Both scheduled and non-scheduled flights are being used depending on airspace availability. Authorities have assured that additional flights will be arranged as the situation evolves further.
Qatar has emerged as one of the major evacuation points due to heavy airspace restrictions during the conflict. In a major operation, over 7,600 Indian nationals were brought back from Doha within just three days. These flights were coordinated despite security concerns and limited air traffic permissions. Earlier, smaller batches of stranded Indians were also evacuated through special arrangements.
Similar efforts are underway in the United Arab Emirates, where a large number of Indian travellers were affected by disruptions. Airlines operated multiple special flights from cities like Dubai and Fujairah to bring passengers back to India. Indian carriers and foreign airlines have worked together to restore connectivity in phases. However, normal flight operations are still facing challenges due to safety concerns.
The crisis has triggered one of the biggest global aviation disruptions in recent times, with thousands of flights cancelled across the Middle East. Temporary airspace closures and security alerts forced airlines to reroute or suspend services. This led to a ripple effect across international travel networks. Travellers from several countries, including India, were impacted by the sudden halt in operations.
To tackle the situation effectively, India has adopted a multi-route evacuation strategy. This includes the use of charter flights, alternative transit routes through nearby countries, and close coordination with foreign governments. In some cases, land routes and indirect flights have also been explored. The effort covers tourists, workers, students, and business travellers stranded across the region.
Several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have also initiated evacuation plans for their citizens. This highlights the global scale of the crisis and its impact on international mobility. While some air routes are gradually reopening, uncertainty still remains. Authorities worldwide continue to monitor the situation closely.
India’s ongoing evacuation drive from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates stands as one of the largest such operations in recent years. With lakhs of passengers already brought back safely, efforts are still underway to assist those remaining. The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring every Indian citizen returns home safely.
