nearly ten million indians As tensions rise due to U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran and retaliation from Tehran, people living across West Asia may be at greater risk.Prime Minister Narendra Modi India on Monday described the situation in West Asia as a “matter of grave concern” and reiterated its support for dialogue and diplomatic means to resolve disputes. India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep concern” and urged all parties to exercise restraint, and Indian missions remained in contact with citizens and issued warnings.
The Bay Area has one of the largest overseas Indian communities. Approximately 3.5 million Indians live in the UAE; Saudi Arabia1 million in Kuwait, nearly 800,000 in Qatar, approximately 660,000 in Oman, and approximately 350,000 in Bahrain. There are also smaller communities in Jordan, Iraq and Israel. In the UAE, Indians make up about 35% of the population, making it the largest single center for Indian citizens abroad. The workforce spans construction and maintenance roles as well as professionals in healthcare, finance and IT.
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Saturday’s military attack also thrust the spotlight on the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for India and other Asian countries, prompting officials here to launch contingency plans to safeguard energy supplies.The region is a major source of remittances in India. The UAE alone will account for nearly 19% of total inward remittances to India in 2023-24, highlighting the economic impact of any prolonged instability.
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Minister for Foreign Affairs S Jaishankar He had separate phone calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi and Israeli Foreign Minister Sal to convey India’s concerns.The Cabinet Committee on Security reviewed the evolving situation and noted the safety of Indian nationals. Tehran allowed stranded foreign students, including Indians, to exit through land borders and rescheduled exams as Iran’s airspace was closed.
