New Delhi: Twenty-two Indian nationals, including 14 seafarers, have died amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday, October 28. The government expressed deep concern over the regional situation and said it remained in contact with Indian communities across the Gulf to monitor their safety and well-being.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said three Indian nationals had lost their lives in Saudi Arabia. He shared the figures during his regular media briefing, highlighting the impact of the conflict on Indian citizens in the region.
India has consistently called for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy as tensions continue to threaten regional security and maritime activity.
India Raises Concern Over Attacks on Saudi Arabia
New Delhi has voiced concern over attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement on Saudi Arabia, particularly strikes targeting civilian infrastructure and economic assets. India has warned that such attacks threaten regional stability and maritime security.
One of the reported targets was Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, a key route that allows the kingdom to transport crude oil towards the Red Sea for export.
The pipeline has become particularly important after disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz affected regional oil transport. It provides an alternative route for moving Saudi crude without relying entirely on the Persian Gulf shipping corridor.
Concerns Over Bab-el-Mandeb Shipping Route
The reported attacks have also raised concerns about the safety of the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, a major maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the wider Arabian Sea.
Located between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, the passage is strategically important for international shipping and trade. Disruptions in the area could affect commercial vessels and energy shipments travelling between Europe and Asia.
India has stressed the importance of protecting maritime routes and ensuring the safety of seafarers as the regional conflict continues.
India Calls for Dialogue and Diplomacy
India has urged all sides to pursue dialogue and diplomacy to reduce tensions and prevent further escalation. The government is also maintaining contact with Indian nationals in Gulf countries amid concerns over their safety.
The latest figures underline the human cost of the conflict for Indian citizens, particularly seafarers whose work exposes them to risks when commercial shipping routes come under threat.
The situation remains a concern for India because of its large expatriate community in the Gulf and the importance of regional maritime routes to energy supplies and international trade.
