Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 12: India has stepped up assistance to its citizens in West Asia as escalating regional tensions continue to disrupt travel and safety conditions, with several Indians repatriated from Lebanon and hundreds departing from Qatar on commercial flights.

According to the Embassy of India in Beirut, the first batch of 177 Indian nationals was repatriated to New Delhi on a chartered flight arranged by their employer on Wednesday. The group was seen off at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport by India’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Noor Rahman Sheikh.

In a post on X, the embassy said it remains committed to extending the best possible assistance to Indian nationals in Lebanon during the prevailing situation.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Qatar said more than 500 Indians who had been stranded in Qatar travelled to India on flights operated by Qatar Airways on March 11. The passengers departed for destinations including New Delhi and Mumbai.

The embassy added that Qatar Airways is scheduled to operate two additional flights to India on March 12, one each to New Delhi and Mumbai, to facilitate further travel.

In its advisory, the mission urged members of the Indian community to remain cautious and follow official instructions. It also said three 24/7 helplines remain operational to assist Indian nationals facing queries or emergencies.

Officials said the mission has been prioritising urgent passport services due to the current situation, keeping the consular section open throughout the week and issuing Tatkal passports within one to two days.

The advisory also urged residents to treat official alerts seriously and avoid approaching unidentified objects, debris or fragments. People were asked to immediately report such items to emergency services.

Earlier, India expressed concern over attacks targeting commercial shipping in the ongoing West Asia conflict following missile strikes on a Thai-flagged cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said it had taken note of reports about the attack on the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree while it was sailing through the strait.

According to the Maritime Traffic and Vessel Control Centre, the vessel, operated by Precious Shipping, had departed from Khalifa Port and was bound for Kandla Port when it came under attack around 10 am.

The ministry reiterated that attacks on commercial vessels and civilian maritime traffic must be avoided, particularly given the risks posed to crew members and global trade routes.