MEA: 2.6 lakh passengers have returned to India from West Asia since February 28

New Delhi: Amid the escalating conflict in West Asia, the government said on Wednesday that around 260,000 people have returned to India from the region since February 28.At an inter-ministerial briefing on the situation in West Asia, Aseem R Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said that around 70 flights are expected to fly from various airports in the UAE to different destinations in India on Wednesday.

He said the flight situation was “reassuring”. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal spoke about the phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday.“The two leaders discussed the current situation in West Asia. The Prime Minister reiterated India’s strong condemnation of all attacks against the UAE, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives and damage to civilian infrastructure,” he said.Jaiswal said the two leaders agreed on the importance of “ensuring safe and free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”“The two leaders will continue to work together to promote the early restoration of peace, security and stability in the region,” an MEA spokesperson said.This is Modi’s second phone call with the President of the United Arab Emirates since the US-Israeli coalition launched an attack on Iran on February 28.Tehran retaliated by attacking several Gulf states that host U.S. military bases.Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in Tehran was helping Indian nationals, especially students. He said many more Indians have expressed a desire to cross the Iranian border to Armenia and Azerbaijan.“Our embassy has issued a warning and we call on everyone to adhere to it to ensure safe crossing of the Iran-Armenia and Iran-Azerbaijan borders,” he added.Asked about the supply of fuel to some of India’s neighboring countries, an MEA spokesperson said: “I have discussed this specific issue before. I would like to reiterate that we have received these requests and we are reviewing them, taking into account our own requirements and availability. ” Mahajan said the MEA “continues to monitor closely” developments in the Gulf and West Asia region.“We will continue to provide visas, consular services and logistical support to seafarers, stranded Indian nationals and short-term visitors where required… We have made special efforts to help Indian students in the Gulf region. “Mahajan told reporters that around 260,000 passengers have returned to India from the region since February 28.He said the mandate in these districts has reached down to schools, including those affiliated to CBSE.He said the Grade 10 exams were canceled on Sunday, as were the Grade 12 exams. ICSE and Kerala board exams have also been cancelled, he said.Additional secretary (Gulf) of the MEA said: “The formulation and determination of scores in these cases will be announced by the various committees in due course.”In Tehran, the Indian embassy facilitated the resettlement of several Indian students, he added.Regarding the flight situation, Mahajan said that although some countries have shut down flights, “overall, the flight situation continues to improve” as more flights are operated.On March 17, around 70 flights departed from UAE airports to India.He said that around 70 flights are currently expected to fly from various airports in the UAE to different destinations in India.Qatar’s airspace remains partially open. Qatar Airways operated five flights to India yesterday.Qatar Airways also announced the launch of flights to nine destinations today, MEA officials said.Kuwait’s airspace has been closed since February 28, he said.Kuwait’s Al Jazeera Airways is expected to operate special non-scheduled commercial flights from Saudi Arabia’s Qaysouma International Airport to India in the coming days, Middle East and Africa officials said.Jaiswal was also asked about US President Donald Trump’s comments on NATO. “Yes, we have seen the reports,” he said.Trump said on Tuesday that NATO and most other U.S. allies had rejected his calls to help secure the strategic Strait of Hormuz.