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Kerala Launches Gulf Helpdesk Amid Iran-Israel Tensions for Expatriates

Amid escalating Iran-Israel hostilities, the Kerala government has established a dedicated helpdesk to assist its large diaspora in the Gulf region. The helpdesk, set up by the NORKA Department on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's direction, will monitor developments and coordinate with Indian embassies. The move responds to anxiety over the safety of lakhs of Malayalis working in Gulf nations, which is critical for the state's remittance-driven economy. Precautionary measures, including airspace closures, have been implemented across the Gulf as the conflict shows signs of widening.

Key Points: Kerala Helpdesk for Expats Amid Iran-Israel Conflict

  • Kerala launches helpdesk for Gulf expats
  • Iran launched missiles at Israel
  • Gulf nations close airspace
  • Anxiety over Kerala's large diaspora
  • Remittance-driven economy at stake
2 min read

Iran-Israel flare-up: Kerala sets up dedicated helpdesk to assist Gulf expatriates

Kerala sets up a dedicated helpdesk to assist Gulf expatriates as Iran-Israel tensions escalate. Get safety advisories and embassy coordination.

"precautionary but essential, given the rapidly evolving security landscape - Officials"

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 28

Amid fast-escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, the Kerala government has moved swiftly to address mounting concerns over the safety of expatriates in West Asia. Tensions flared after a joint US-Israel strike on Iranian targets triggered a major retaliatory missile barrage from Tehran.

Iran reportedly launched around 30 missiles at Israel in a coordinated assault, prompting the activation of the Israeli Air Force and its air defence systems.

While Israel confirmed an attempted attack, it has not disclosed the full extent of the damage.

Reports also indicated explosions in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, suggesting that the confrontation could widen beyond Israeli territory.

Precautionary measures followed swiftly across the Gulf region. Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates announced temporary airspace closures amid heightened security alerts.

Iran has warned that U.S. and Israeli military bases across the region could be considered potential targets, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

The developments have triggered anxiety in Kerala, which has a substantial diaspora presence in Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Lakhs of Malayalis are employed across sectors such as healthcare, construction, retail and financial services in these countries, making stability in the Gulf critical to both families and the state's remittance-driven economy.

Responding to the situation, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) Department to immediately set up a dedicated helpdesk.

The facility will monitor developments, coordinate with Indian embassies and provide real-time assistance and advisories to expatriates and their families in Kerala.

Meanwhile, all Indian citizens have been advised to follow the instructions issued by the Indian embassies in the respective countries and the Union Ministry of External Affairs.

Officials described the move as precautionary but essential, given the rapidly evolving security landscape.

With the possibility of the conflict spreading across West Asia, Kerala's proactive outreach reflects both humanitarian concern and economic prudence.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The Gulf remittances are the backbone of Kerala's economy. A conflict there would be devastating for thousands of families back home. While the helpdesk is good, the central government needs to take stronger diplomatic steps to ensure the safety of all Indian citizens.
R
Rahul R
Good move, but is it enough? A helpdesk can only give advice. What about evacuation plans if things get worse? We've seen during the Kuwait war how crucial timely evacuation was. The state and centre must have a concrete contingency plan ready.
A
Anjali F
My husband is in Bahrain. The news of explosions there was terrifying. I immediately called the NORKA helpline mentioned in the article and they were very reassuring. They guided me on how to stay updated. Thank you for this proactive step.
D
David E
Watching from abroad, it's impressive to see a state government act so swiftly. This is a model of how local authorities can support their diaspora during international crises. The coordination with embassies is key. Hope other states with large expat populations take note.
K
Karthik V
The real issue is that our economy is too dependent on remittances. We need to create more high-quality jobs within Kerala so that people don't have to risk their lives abroad for a good salary. This crisis should be a wake-up call for long-term economic planning.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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