Amid escalating conflict in West Asia, Indian authorities have successfully repatriated close to 1,000 nationals stranded in Doha over the past three days, according to updates from the Embassy of India in Qatar.
The Embassy announced via its X account that Qatar Airways operated a special Doha-New Delhi flight on March 9, 2026, carrying more than 300 Indian passengers who had been stuck in the Qatari capital. These individuals were primarily in transit or on short-term visits when regional airspace restrictions and flight disruptions—stemming from the ongoing hostilities—left them unable to proceed with their journeys.
In total, the Embassy reported that nearly 1,000 such stranded Indians departed Doha on Qatar Airways services during this period. Officials expressed appreciation to Qatar Airways for its cooperation in facilitating these departures and for its collaboration with the Indian mission.
The Embassy highlighted one particularly sensitive humanitarian effort: Qatar Airways assisted in the repatriation of the mortal remains of an Indian national who passed away due to natural causes, along with accompanying family members. Indian community volunteers in Doha also provided support to the affected family.
Looking ahead, Qatar Airways has scheduled three additional flights on March 10, 2026, bound for Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi. The Embassy urged remaining stranded passengers to utilize these options to return to India.
For those intending to travel onward to Saudi Arabia, the Salwa border crossing remains accessible for individuals holding valid Saudi visas. Several Indians have already used this route to reach Saudi Arabia and subsequently board flights home. The Embassy noted ongoing efforts to secure Saudi transit visas for affected passengers, extending thanks to both Qatari and Saudi authorities for their assistance.
In its advisory, the Embassy emphasized the importance of safety for the Indian community in Qatar. Nationals were urged to strictly follow guidelines issued by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, exercise caution on social media by avoiding capturing or sharing photographs related to the current situation, and rely solely on verified sources of information to steer clear of rumors.
Separately, the Embassy referenced an advisory for Indians in Iran, cautioning against approaching any land borders without prior coordination with the Indian Embassy in Tehran. It stressed that assistance may not be available once individuals exit Iranian territory if they encounter difficulties entering a third country.
These measures reflect coordinated efforts by Indian diplomatic missions and airlines to address the fallout from the West Asia conflict, which has severely impacted regional air travel.