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Qatar Crisis: 1000 Indians Evacuated as Embassy Control Room Stays Active

The Indian Embassy in Qatar has coordinated the return of approximately 1000 Indian nationals to cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi via Qatar Airways flights. It has facilitated travel through the Salwa border to Saudi Arabia using temporary 96-hour transit visas for stranded citizens, including India's basketball team. The Embassy's 24/7 control room remains active, supported by helplines from Indian community organizations. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has emphasized India's priority on the safety of its diaspora and called for restraint and dialogue in the region.

Key Points: India Evacuates 1000 from Qatar Amid West Asia Tensions

  • 1000 Indians evacuated via Qatar Airways
  • 96-hour transit visas issued via Saudi border
  • Embassy 24/7 control room functional
  • India urges de-escalation in West Asia
2 min read

Qatar: Indian Embassy's control room remains functional; around 1000 people brought back to India

Indian Embassy in Qatar facilitates return of 1000 nationals, issues transit visas via Saudi border. Control room remains operational 24/7.

"The well-being and security of the Indian community in the region is our overriding priority. - S. Jaishankar"

Doha, March 11

Amid the developing security situation in West Asia, the Indian Embassy in Qatar said that about 1000 Indian passengers have travelled back to New Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi. It further said that temporary transit visas of 96 hours' validity had been issued for Indian nationals through the Salwa border to Saudi Arabia and underlined that the Embassy's 24/7 control room remains functional.

Sharing the details in a post on X, it said, "About 1000 Indian passengers travelled to New Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi on Qatar Airways flights on March 10; Embassy of India coordinated with Qatar Airways for facilitation of travel of stranded Indian nationals and emergency cases."

It thanked Qatar Airways for giving priority to cases on humanitarian grounds.

"One flight of Qatar Airways is scheduled for New Delhi on March 11; Embassy of India continued facilitation of travel of Indian nationals through Salwa border to Saudi Arabia on temporary transit visas of 96 hrs validity; India's basketball team which had got stranded in Qatar reached India after travelling on flights from Saudi Arabia", the post further mentioned.

The Embassy thanked the authorities of Saudi Arabia and Qatar for their cooperation and said that its 24/7 Control Room remains functional, along with helplines and helpdesks of Indian community organisations, ICC and ICBF.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Embassy of India in Bahrain issued an advisory stating that it is not connected with arrangements by business groups for transport arrangements to neighbouring countries from Bahrain by private parties.

In a post on X, the Embassy said, "All concerned are hereby put on notice that Embassy of India in Bahrain is not connected with arrangements by business groups of transport arrangements to neighbouring countries from Bahrain by private parties".

The updates come amid an evolving security situation in West Asia.

In his statement in Parliament on Monday, Jaishankar had said India had expressed its deep concern over the situation in West Asia and urged all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise the safety of civilians.

He said India is in favour of peace and urges a return to dialogue and diplomacy.

"We advocate de-escalation, restraint and ensuring the safety of civilians. The well-being and security of the Indian community in the region is our overriding priority. We will continue to work with the Governments of the region towards that end," he said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone with family in the Gulf, this news is a huge relief. The 24/7 control room and coordination with airlines is exactly what we expect from our government during a crisis. Hope everyone stays safe.
V
Vikram M
Good job by the embassy, but the advisory from Bahrain is concerning. People might get scammed by private parties in such tense times. The government needs to be even more vocal in warning citizens.
P
Priya S
Shukar hai! My cousin was one of those who came back on the Kochi flight. The family was so worried. Big thanks to Qatar Airways for cooperating on humanitarian grounds. Jai Hind!
R
Rohit P
The 96-hour transit visa arrangement through Salwa border is smart crisis management. Shows good relations with Saudi Arabia. Hope the situation de-escalates soon for the sake of all civilians in the region.
M
Michael C
While the evacuation efforts are commendable, we must also ask what long-term plans are in place for the millions of Indians still working in West Asia. Crisis response is good, but prevention and contingency planning are better.
A
Ananya R
So glad our basketball team is safe! 🙏 It must have been terrifying for them. This shows the importance of having functional embassies and community organizations

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