NEW DELHI — The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, that two Indian nationals have been killed and one remains missing as the ongoing conflict in West Asia escalates. The fatalities occurred after merchant vessels carrying the Indian crew members came under targeted missile and drone attacks in the volatile Gulf region.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the government is prioritizing the safety of all citizens currently in the affected nations. “Three Indian nationals are either dead or missing following the attacks on their merchant ship vessels,” Jaiswal confirmed during a press briefing. He added that the Indian government is in constant coordination with maritime authorities to trace the unaccounted-for individual.
Injuries and Evacuation Efforts
The conflict has also resulted in several injuries among the Indian diaspora across the region:
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Israel & Dubai: One Indian national injured in Israel is currently recuperating in a hospital. Additionally, an Indian citizen was injured during the drone crash in Dubai earlier on Wednesday morning and is receiving medical care.
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Iran: Approximately 9,000 Indians, primarily students, remain in Iran. While many have already returned to India following government advisories, the Indian Embassy remains in regular contact with those still in the country.
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Relocation: The MEA has successfully relocated groups of students and pilgrims to safer cities within Iran and is facilitating land border crossings into Algeria and Azerbaijan, where commercial flights to India are still operational.
24/7 Crisis Management
To handle the surge in distress calls, the MEA has activated a dedicated control room. On Tuesday alone, the cell processed 75 calls and 11 emails from concerned families and stranded citizens. Jaiswal emphasized that the government is monitoring the situation hour-by-hour, particularly as retaliatory strikes continue to impact civilian and energy infrastructure in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
The Ministry has reiterated its advisory for Indian nationals in the Gulf to avoid non-essential travel and remain in close proximity to designated safe zones. As the conflict expands beyond its initial borders, the safety of the nearly 8 million-strong Indian community in the West Asia region remains the primary concern for New Delhi.
