Lok Sabha Question No. 181 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Evacuation from Middle East
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

STARRED Q. NO. *181

ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025

EVACUATION FROM MIDDLE EAST

## *181. SHRI RAJEEV RAI

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

- (a) the number of Indians evacuated from Middle East during the last three years;
- (b) whether a large number of persons belonging to Uttar Pradesh have been waiting for their evacuation since 2014, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to evacuate them from the region; and
- (d) the time by which all these people are likely to be evacuated safely from there?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

(a to d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT   REFERRED   TO   IN   REPLY   TO   PARTS   (a)   TO   (d)   IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*181 FOR REPLY ON 12.12.2025 REGARDING EVACUATION FROM MIDDLE EAST

(a) to (d): Keeping in view the safety and security of Indian nationals, Government of India evacuated 5945 Indian nationals from Israel, Iran, Syria and Iraq in the Middle-East during the last three years, including under Operation Ajay in Israel in 2023 and Operation Sindhu in Iran and Israel in 2025. A total of 1474 evacuated Indian nationals belonged to Uttar   Pradesh.   Government   also   undertook   a   special   humanitarian airlift of  mortal remains of  45 deceased Indian nationals, who lost their lives in a tragic fire incident in Kuwait in 2024, which included 3 citizens of Uttar Pradesh. Operation/ evacuation details are attached at Annexure-I.

The Government closely monitors any developing adverse situations worldwide including the Middle Eastern region. Based on prevailing circumstances,   Government   issues   advisories   to   caution   Indian nationals to avoid unnecessary travel, follow safety guidelines issued by the local authorities and remain in touch with the Indian Missions on published helpline numbers and other communication mechanisms.

Wherever necessary, the Government launches evacuation operations with  a   whole-of-government   approach   to   safely   evacuate   stranded Indian nationals. Government provides logistical support including safe shelter, meals, local and cross-border movement and transportation by arranging   special   vehicles   and   evacuation   flights   on   gratis   basis. Government's evacuation operations prioritize the safety, security, and well-being of all Indian nationals irrespective of their states. Presently, there is no information on any imminent threat to the safety and security of Indian nationals or any situation requiring evacuation of Indian nationals from the Middle Eastern region.

*****

## Annexure-I

## Details of Evacuations/Operations during last three years

| Year         | Country & Name of the Operation   | Total number of people evacuated                               |   Indian nationals belonged to Uttar Pradesh |
|--------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| 2023         | Israel Operation Ajay             | 1,343 (including 14 OCI card holders and 20 foreign nationals) |                                          145 |
| 2024         | (Humanitarian airlift of 45       |                                                                |                                            3 |
| 2025         | Operation 3597                    |                                                                |                                         1198 |
| 2025         | Israel Operation Sindhu           | 818                                                            |                                           92 |
| 2022 to 2025 | Iraq                              | 135                                                            |                                           32 |
| 2024 & 2025  | Syria                             | 86                                                             |                                            7 |

*****