- 177 Indian nationals repatriated from Lebanon on charter flight to Delhi
- Over 500 Indians depart Qatar for India on commercial flights
- Embassies activate 24×7 helplines and fast-track passport services
- India reiterates concern over attacks on commercial shipping in West Asia
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th March: India has stepped up assistance for its citizens in West Asia as escalating regional tensions continue to disrupt travel and security conditions, with dozens of Indians repatriated from Lebanon and hundreds leaving Qatar on commercial flights.
According to the Indian Embassy in Beirut, the first batch of 177 Indian nationals was repatriated to New Delhi on Wednesday through a charter flight arranged by their employer.
The passengers were seen off at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport by India’s Ambassador to Lebanon Noor Rahman Sheikh.
In a message posted on X, the embassy said, “The first batch of 177 Indian nationals, being repatriated to Delhi in a charter flight arranged by their company, was seen off by Ambassador Noor Rahman Sheikh at Beirut International Airport today. The Embassy of India in Beirut stands committed to extending the best possible assistance to Indian nationals in Lebanon.”
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Qatar said more than 500 Indians who had been stranded in the country travelled to India on Qatar Airways flights on March 11.
The passengers departed for destinations including New Delhi and Mumbai, the embassy said.
Authorities added that Qatar Airways will operate two additional flights on March 12, one each to Delhi and Mumbai, to facilitate further travel for Indian nationals.
In an advisory issued on social media, the embassy urged members of the Indian community in Qatar to remain vigilant and follow official instructions.
The mission also confirmed that three 24×7 helplines remain operational to assist Indians with travel, safety and emergency queries.
Officials said the embassy has also prioritised urgent passport services, keeping its consular section open throughout the week and issuing Tatkal passports within one to two days due to the prevailing situation.
The advisory further asked residents to remain cautious and avoid approaching unidentified objects, debris or fragments, urging them to report such items immediately to emergency authorities.
The developments come amid escalating tensions in West Asia that have disrupted shipping and air travel across the region.
Earlier, India also expressed concern over attacks targeting commercial vessels following missile strikes on a Thai-flagged cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it had taken note of the attack on the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, which was sailing toward Kandla port in Gujarat when it came under attack.
According to maritime tracking authorities, the vessel had departed from Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates before the incident.
India reiterated that commercial shipping and civilian maritime traffic must not be targeted, stressing that such attacks endanger crew members and threaten critical global trade routes.
