What is the story about?
The Indian government has launched a round-the-clock helpline for the diaspora living in the Gulf as the situation continues to remain tense in the region.
Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem R Mahajan confirmed that a dedicated control room has been established to provide round-the-clock assistance, while communication channels remain open with state governments and the Indian diaspora.
The Ministry of External Affairs has also launched a 24x7 helpline to respond to queries and emergencies by Indian nationals. Officials are also issuing regular advisories to keep Indian citizens informed about travel, safety measures, and regional developments.
"We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. The Ministry has dedicated a control room to stay in touch with the Union Territories and State governments. A 24x7 helpline has been established to maintain communication with the Indian diaspora. Regular advisories and all kinds of visa logistics assistance are being provided. As of today, 426,000 passengers have travelled on 2,199 flights operated by airlines between the UAE and India," Mahajan said.
Indian nationals can also take flights back home as air travel between India and Gulf countries remains operational. Authorities have noted that the Gulf and India are operating hundreds of flights, along with services from Oman and Saudi Arabia.
However, certain airspaces, including those over Kuwait and Bahrain, have been affected, leading to rerouting and adjustments in flight schedules.
The government is also actively facilitating the movement of Indian nationals from sensitive areas. Evacuation efforts through alternative routes, including via Jordan and Saudi Arabia, are ongoing to ensure safe passage. Officials emphasised that contingency plans are being updated continuously in response to changing ground conditions.
Iran has said that the US has held “indirect” conversations with the country, as it rejected negotiation calls with Washington.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that the US has sent multiple messages to Tehran in recent days via “friendly countries,” adding that communications do not amount to negotiations.
“Didn’t the Americans say ‘unconditional surrender’? So why are they talking about negotiation now?” Araghchi said.
The foreign minister asserted that Washington’s willingness to negotiate now is an “admission of defeat”. “The fact that messages are being sent and we respond with warnings or state our positions is not called negotiation or dialogue; it is an exchange of messages,” he said.
Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem R Mahajan confirmed that a dedicated control room has been established to provide round-the-clock assistance, while communication channels remain open with state governments and the Indian diaspora.
The Ministry of External Affairs has also launched a 24x7 helpline to respond to queries and emergencies by Indian nationals. Officials are also issuing regular advisories to keep Indian citizens informed about travel, safety measures, and regional developments.
"We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. The Ministry has dedicated a control room to stay in touch with the Union Territories and State governments. A 24x7 helpline has been established to maintain communication with the Indian diaspora. Regular advisories and all kinds of visa logistics assistance are being provided. As of today, 426,000 passengers have travelled on 2,199 flights operated by airlines between the UAE and India," Mahajan said.
Flight connectivity operational
Indian nationals can also take flights back home as air travel between India and Gulf countries remains operational. Authorities have noted that the Gulf and India are operating hundreds of flights, along with services from Oman and Saudi Arabia.
However, certain airspaces, including those over Kuwait and Bahrain, have been affected, leading to rerouting and adjustments in flight schedules.
The government is also actively facilitating the movement of Indian nationals from sensitive areas. Evacuation efforts through alternative routes, including via Jordan and Saudi Arabia, are ongoing to ensure safe passage. Officials emphasised that contingency plans are being updated continuously in response to changing ground conditions.
Iran war update
Iran has said that the US has held “indirect” conversations with the country, as it rejected negotiation calls with Washington.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that the US has sent multiple messages to Tehran in recent days via “friendly countries,” adding that communications do not amount to negotiations.
“Didn’t the Americans say ‘unconditional surrender’? So why are they talking about negotiation now?” Araghchi said.
The foreign minister asserted that Washington’s willingness to negotiate now is an “admission of defeat”. “The fact that messages are being sent and we respond with warnings or state our positions is not called negotiation or dialogue; it is an exchange of messages,” he said.











