Nearly 10m Indians in danger: How a wider Gulf conflict will hit close to home
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKMarch 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Nearly 10 million Indians living across West Asia are at heightened risk due to escalating tensions following the US-Israel military operation against Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory actions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep concern over the worsening situation, urging a resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. Indian officials have issued travel advisories and remain in close contact with nationals in the region.
The Gulf region is home to one of the largest overseas Indian communities, with approximately 3.5 million Indians in the UAE, 2.7 million in Saudi Arabia, and significant populations in Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. These communities play a vital role in sectors like healthcare, finance, IT, construction, and maintenance. The economic stakes are high, as remittances from these regions accounted for nearly 19% of India’s total inward remittances in 2023-24, underscoring the potential impact of prolonged instability.
The situation has also drawn attention to critical global shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz, through which India sources a significant portion of its energy supplies. Indian officials have activated contingency plans to safeguard these shipments amid concerns over regional security and supply chain disruptions.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar engaged with Iranian and Israeli counterparts to convey India’s concerns and emphasize the need for restraint. The Cabinet Committee on Security has flagged the safety of Indian nationals, while Tehran has allowed stranded foreign students, including Indians, to exit via land borders amid airspace closures.
The escalating tensions in West Asia pose a direct threat to India’s economic and security interests, highlighting the interconnectedness of global affairs. For readers interested in world events, this situation underscores the far-reaching consequences of regional instability on international relations and economic systems.
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Originally published on Times of India on 3/2/2026