The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up a special control room to monitor the rapidly evolving situation in West Asia and the Gulf region amid escalating tensions triggered by the Israel-Iran war.
In a statement, the MEA said the control room will function from 9 am to 9 pm and can be contacted for assistance and information.
Amid the rising conflict in West Asia, India's MEA has launched the control room and issued multiple helpline numbers to support stranded citizens in Gulf nations. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said nearly one crore Indians live in the region, making their safety a top priority as hostilities disrupt trade routes and travel.
India voices concern over escalating conflict
Tensions in West Asia have intensified after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran last week, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran targeted Israel as well as US bases and other establishments in several West Asian countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain.
As the conflict spread across the region, India underscored the high stakes involved, particularly for the nearly one crore Indian nationals living and working in Gulf countries.
In its second statement since the outbreak of hostilities, the MEA stressed that the safety and security of Indians in West Asia remain its "utmost priority."
"In recent days, we have not only witnessed an intensification of the conflict but also its spread to other nations. The destruction and deaths have mounted, even as normal life and economic activities come to a halt," the ministry said.
Calling for restraint, New Delhi strongly advocated "dialogue and diplomacy" to secure an early end to the conflict. It noted that, as a proximate neighbour with critical stakes in the region's security and stability, the ongoing developments "evoke great anxiety."
Qatar announced the arrest of 10 individuals suspected of working with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Seven were allegedly gathering intelligence on critical and military infrastructure, while three were reportedly trained in drone operations. The suspects are said to have confessed to conducting espionage and subversion missions on behalf of the IRGC, Qatar's state news agency reported.
Saudi Arabia has declared it will take all necessary measures to protect its security and residents following alleged Iranian aggression in the region. The Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reaffirmed solidarity with affected Gulf countries and emphasized the kingdom's readiness to support them in any countermeasures. Authorities also ensured comfort for stranded GCC citizens at Saudi airports while arrangements for their safe return are being made, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, appeared to challenge claims made by the Trump administration that Iran was actively seeking to build nuclear weapons, while highlighting that Iran's stockpile of nuclear-grade uranium remains a serious concern.
In a post on X, Grossi stated, "I have been very clear and consistent in my reports on Iran's nuclear programme: while there has been no evidence of Iran building a nuclear bomb, its large stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium and refusal to grant my inspectors full access are cause for serious concern. Until Iran cooperates fully to resolve outstanding safeguards issues, the Agency cannot provide assurance that its nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful."
