Indian Diaspora in the Gulf
Vulnerability and Consular Responsibility
India has the world's largest diaspora, with approximately 13–14 million non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries alone. The maritime and energy sectors employ a significant share of Indian seafarers and workers across Gulf waters. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian embassies/consulates in the region are responsible for consular protection.
- India has approximately 3.5 million workers in the UAE, ~2.5 million in Saudi Arabia, ~1 million each in Kuwait and Qatar, and several hundred thousand in Oman and Bahrain.
- Indian seafarers account for approximately 12% of the world's total seafaring workforce — one of the highest national shares globally.
- Consular services for Indians in distress abroad are governed by the Consular, Passport, and Visa (CPV) Division of MEA.
- "Vande Bharat Mission" (2020) established India's largest-ever repatriation exercise — a precedent for rapid evacuation capability.
- Operation Kaveri (Sudan, 2023) demonstrated India's ability to conduct emergency evacuations from active conflict zones.
● Tracked since March 01, 2026 · last seen April 20, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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