Parliament Question: Indian citizens in Gulf countries

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4406 ANSWERED ON – 02/04/2026 INDIAN CITIZENS IN GULF COUNTRIES

4406. SHRI SAMIRUL ISLAM

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:- a) the country-wise and year-wise details of Indian Citizen residing in Gulf countries and the last five years; and b) the country-wise details of individuals rescued after the Iran-Israel War? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a & b) Presently, over 9.9 million Indian nationals are residing in Gulf countries. Country-wise and year-wise details of Indian nationals residing in Gulf countries for last five years is attached at Annexure-I.

Due to the prevailing situation in West Asia and Gulf countries, Indian nationals visiting the region or transiting through it, including tourists, students, pilgrims, etc., faced difficulties on account of airspace closures and flight cancellations. Indian Embassies in the region have facilitated the travel of these Indian nationals to India by regular as well as non-scheduled commercial flights. Till 25 March 2026, over 4.75 lakh Indian passengers have travelled from West Asian and Gulf countries to India.

1Annexure-I Data of Indian nationals residing in Gulf countries since 2022 In lakhs Sl. Name of 2025-2026 2024 2023 2022 No. country (Till March 2026) 1 Bahrain 3.15 3.32 3.40 3.09 2 Kuwait 10.60 10.08 10.01 9.66 3 Oman 6.75 6.65 6.85 6.74 4 Qatar 8.29 8.30 8.35 8.44 5 Saudi Arabia 27.48 26.45 23.87 21.62 6 UAE 43.26 43.26 38.91 35.54 ***** 2