Additional Secretary confirms one missing as India maintains 24/7 control room and continues repatriation efforts amid sustained regional conflict.

By Imogen King
Political Science and International Affairs Writer
Zealandia News

March 31, 2026 — NEW DELHI

The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that eight Indian nationals have now lost their lives in “various incidents” across the West Asia region, with one additional citizen remaining missing. The update was provided during an inter-ministerial briefing in New Delhi on Monday, marking a grim escalation in the toll of Indian casualties amid the ongoing conflict.

Additional Secretary for Gulf Affairs Aseem R. Mahajan told reporters that the most recent death occurred in Kuwait. “Yesterday, an Indian national unfortunately lost his life in an attack in Kuwait,” Mahajan said, without elaborating on the specific circumstances of the incident. He expressed the ministry’s deepest condolences to the family, adding that India’s mission in Kuwait is coordinating closely with local authorities to arrange the return of the mortal remains.

The latest confirmation brings the total number of Indian fatalities to eight, up from six reported by Mahajan during a previous briefing on March 20. At that time, the ministry had also noted that one Indian national remained missing. That individual has not yet been located.

Indian Community in the Crossfire

The casualties come as the conflict in West Asia continues to escalate, drawing in multiple regional actors and creating a volatile security environment across the Gulf. The Indian community, numbering in the hundreds of thousands across countries including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran, has found itself increasingly vulnerable as hostilities widen.

Earlier this month, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed that an Indian national was killed in Riyadh due to “recent events of March 18.” The ministry has not provided detailed breakdowns of the circumstances surrounding each death, citing the complexity of the ongoing situation and the variety of locations involved.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s consistent position on the conflict during Monday’s briefing. “We continue to call for restraint and de-escalation, and at the same time emphasise on dialogue and diplomacy, as a means to an early end to the conflict,” Jaiswal said.

The spokesperson also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent diplomatic engagement, noting that on March 28, the Prime Minister spoke with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict and agreed on the need to ensure freedom of navigation in the region. Modi reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on regional energy infrastructure during the call.

Repatriation and Support Efforts Underway

Mahajan emphasised that the safety, security, and welfare of the large Indian community in the region remains the government’s “utmost priority.” A dedicated special control room remains operational, and Indian missions across the region are functioning round the clock.

The ministry has established 24/7 helplines, is issuing regular updated advisories, and remains actively engaged with Indian community associations, organisations, and Indian companies across the region. Officials are also paying particular attention to the welfare of Indian seafarers, with missions maintaining continuous contact with Indian crew members on vessels in the region.

Since February 28, approximately 5.5 lakh passengers have returned from the region to India, according to ministry figures. Repatriation efforts have adapted to the challenging flight environment created by airspace closures across multiple countries.

Kuwait and Bahrain airspace remain closed, Mahajan reported. However, Jazeera Airways of Kuwait and Gulf Air of Bahrain have been operating non-scheduled commercial flights from airports in Saudi Arabia to various destinations in India. With Qatar airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is expected to operate around 10 flights to India on March 30.

Flights continue to operate from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to different destinations in India. Around 85 non-scheduled flights were expected to operate from the UAE to India on Monday.

Due to flight restrictions, India is facilitating travel for Indian nationals through alternative routes, including from Iran through Armenia and Azerbaijan, from Israel through Egypt and Jordan, from Iraq through Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and from Kuwait and Bahrain through Saudi Arabia.

Educational Concerns Addressed

The ministry is also addressing academic concerns affecting Indian students in the region. The Central Board of Secondary Education has notified an assessment scheme for the declaration of results for Class X and Class XII following the cancellation of exams due to the ongoing conflict.

MEA officials said academic concerns related to CBSE, ICSE, Kerala boards, and competitive examinations such as JEE and NEET are being addressed through regular outreach to parents and students.

In Brief

The confirmation of an eighth Indian death in Kuwait underscores the mounting human toll of the West Asia conflict on the Indian diaspora. With one individual still unaccounted for and the regional security situation showing no immediate signs of abating, the Ministry of External Affairs faces sustained pressure to ensure the safety of Indian nationals while facilitating the return of those seeking to leave.

As airspace restrictions continue to complicate travel, India’s missions across the region remain on high alert, operating extended helplines and coordinating with local authorities. The government’s dual approach — combining diplomatic engagement with operational repatriation efforts — reflects the scale of the challenge as it seeks to protect one of the world’s largest overseas communities in one of its most volatile regions.