Acknowledging that the situation has been challenging, Dr Deepak Mittal, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, told NDTV that the embassy has been working round the clock to assist the Indian community amid the ongoing crisis in the region.
The envoy said the situation became particularly difficult when tensions escalated on February 28 as Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint US and Israeli air strikes.
Travellers from around the world have had their plans disrupted amid Iran's strikes on Gulf states following US-Israeli attacks.
The conflict has grounded most regular flights and shut shipping lanes, causing the biggest disruption to global travel since the Covid pandemic.
The UAE, a US ally and home to American military installations, has been the most heavily targeted nation in the Gulf during the war.
The Indian envoy said the immediate priority for the embassy was to ensure that Indians stranded in the UAE could return home safely.
The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi, he said, activated helplines that have been operating 24 hours a day. According to him, people began reaching out to the embassy through multiple channels seeking assistance and guidance.
He said the embassy has been closely coordinating with airlines and local authorities to ensure smoother communication and for passengers affected by flight disruptions.
As airlines resumed limited flights out of hubs including Dubai and Riyadh, governments also chartered planes to bring home citizens affected by the turmoil, which stranded tens of thousands of travellers worldwide.
One of the key challenges during such difficult times, he stressed is meeting the expectations of people who look towards the mission for assistance and reassurance.
The envoy said that the embassy has been in constant touch with members of the Indian community across the UAE. According to him, the community has expressed confidence in the local government and the systems in place. He said there is an alert system in the country and people are following the advisories issued by authorities.
Mittal also said that for many residents in the UAE, this kind of situation is being experienced for the first time, as such developments have not occurred before on this scale. Despite the challenges, he said cooperation from the community and authorities has helped manage the situation effectively.
He added that members of the Indian diaspora also came forward to help those in need, including workers and individuals facing difficulties during the disruption. More than one hundred thousand Indians have travelled safely back to India during this period with support and coordination efforts from various agencies.
He also addressed concerns regarding students, saying that the CBSE examinations for grade 10 have been cancelled while the examinations for grade 12 have been postponed. Mittal said the authorities continue to assess the situation and decisions will be taken keeping the safety of students in mind.
Speaking about diplomatic engagement, Mittal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the President of the UAE and India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also been in touch with his counterpart in the UAE.
He also urged Indians living in the UAE to remain careful about what they share online and advised them to follow only official communication and verified updates.
He stated people should adhere to the laws of the UAE and avoid spreading unverified information on social media during sensitive times.
