I’ve received over 2,00 messages in the last 10 days.
From Dubai. From Kuwait. From Doha. From Manama. From Riyadh. From Muscat.
The same question, again and again.
“Mani, is it safe? Should I stay or should I come back?”
I’m going to answer that as honestly as I can. No sugar-coating. No panic-inducing headlines. Just facts, context, and what I think you should actually do.
Because roughly 9 million Indians live across the six GCC countries. That’s not a statistic. That’s 9 million real lives – engineers, nurses, teachers, construction workers, bankers, shopkeepers, drivers, business owners.
And their families.
Let me break down what’s happening in each country, what it means for you, and how to think about it clearly.
What Happened – A Quick Summary
On February 28, 2026, the US and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed along with several senior officials.
Iran responded immediately – with missiles and drones aimed at US military assets across the entire Gulf region.
Every single GCC country has been hit.
Not just military targets. Airports, residential buildings, hotels, oil refineries, desalination plants, ports, and energy facilities have been struck or damaged by debris from interceptions.
As of March 10, 2026, the conflict is in its 11th day with no ceasefire in sight.
Here’s what this means for each country where Indians live.
Country-by-Country Safety Assessment
UAE (United Arab Emirates) – 3.5 Million Indians
The UAE has the largest Indian diaspora in the world. About 3.5 million Indians live here, mostly in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
What’s happened:
Iran has launched over 238 ballistic missiles, 1,422 drones, and 8 cruise missiles at the UAE since February 28. The UAE’s air defense systems have intercepted the vast majority – 221 ballistic missiles and 1,342 drones.
But some got through.
A drone struck near the Fairmont hotel on Palm Jumeirah. Debris damaged the Burj Al Arab facade. Dubai International Airport – the world’s busiest for international traffic – was hit, injuring four staff.
Jebel Ali Port caught fire. An AWS data center was struck.
The US Consulate in Dubai was hit by a drone. Abu Dhabi airport had one person killed and seven injured.
Four people have been killed (Pakistani, Nepali, and Bangladeshi nationals). Over 112 have been injured, including Indian nationals.
Most injuries are from interception debris, not direct strikes.
Current status:
The UAE has partially resumed flight operations from Dubai. Emirates and Etihad are running limited schedules.
Airspace restrictions remain. The UAE President said the country is in “a period of war” but would “emerge stronger.”
The Indian Embassy has issued advisories urging vigilance. Over 52,000 Indians returned from the Gulf to India between March 1-7, many from the UAE.
Bottom line for Indians in UAE:
Dubai and Abu Dhabi have strong air defense systems, but they’re being tested daily.
The risk from falling debris is real and ongoing. The UAE is the most targeted GCC country by volume. It’s also the most prepared.
If you’re in the UAE with young children or elderly family members, the risk calculation is serious. If you’re a single professional with no dependents, the risk is manageable but not zero.
For those considering a planned return, read our return from UAE guide.
Saudi Arabia – 2.59 Million Indians
Saudi Arabia hosts the second-largest Indian community in the GCC.
What’s happened:
Iran has targeted military installations, oil refineries, and even diplomatic compounds.
The US Embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones, causing a fire and minor damage. The Ras Tanura oil refinery was targeted by drones (intercepted, but debris caused a small fire).
Most critically – an Iranian drone struck a residential building in Al-Kharj, killing two people: one Indian national and one Bangladeshi national. Twelve others were injured.
An Indian was killed in Saudi Arabia by this strike. That’s not a distant statistic. That’s someone’s son, someone’s husband, someone’s father.
Current status:
Saudi Arabia’s airspace has partially reopened. Saudi Airlines has resumed some flights.
The country’s air defenses have been active, and Saudi Arabia has intercepted multiple missile and drone attacks.
Saudi Arabia is coordinating transit visas for Indians stranded in neighboring countries like Bahrain and Qatar, allowing land border crossings for onward travel.
Bottom line for Indians in Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia is geographically large, which means risk varies significantly by location. Riyadh and eastern cities near the Gulf are more exposed. Western cities like Jeddah are relatively safer.
The Saudi military is well-equipped. But the Al-Kharj residential building strike proves that even intercepted debris can be lethal.
Kuwait – 1.06 Million Indians
Over a million Indians live in Kuwait – the largest expat community in the country.
What’s happened:
Kuwait International Airport was hit by an Iranian drone. The US Embassy was struck by a missile. Six US soldiers were killed at Shuaiba Port.
A high-rise building in Kuwait City – the Public Institution for Social Security headquarters – caught fire after a drone strike on March 8. At least one civilian has been killed.
Kuwaiti air defenses accidentally shot down three American F-15 fighter jets in a friendly fire incident. The chaos of war created that confusion.
Current status:
Kuwait’s airspace remains fully closed as of March 10. No commercial flights are operating. The Indian Embassy has a 24/7 helpline active and is coordinating with Kuwaiti authorities.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior automatically extended all visit visas by one month.
Bottom line for Indians in Kuwait:
Kuwait is one of the most affected GCC countries. Its proximity to Iraq and Iran, combined with the heavy US military presence, makes it a primary target.
The airport damage and continued airspace closure suggest the situation is more severe than the UAE.
The Kuwaitization policies were already making life harder for Indian expats before the war. This conflict accelerates the case for planning a return.
See our Kuwait return guide for details.
Qatar – 700,000-800,000 Indians
Qatar is home to roughly 800,000 Indians, with most working in construction, oil and gas, healthcare, and services.
What’s happened:
Iran struck targets across Qatar including near Hamad International Airport, Al Udeid Air Base (the largest US military installation in the Middle East), and near Ras Laffan – the world’s largest LNG facility.
Qatar shot down two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets that entered its airspace. The country intercepted 14 ballistic missiles and multiple drones in a single day. 16 people were injured.
QatarEnergy halted LNG production and downstream operations (urea, polymers, methanol, aluminium). This sent global gas prices soaring nearly 50%.
Qatar arrested 10 suspected IRGC-linked operatives inside the country – seven spies and three trained in sabotage.
Over 8,000 transit passengers were stranded at Hamad Airport.
Current status:
Qatar partially reopened airspace on March 6 for limited evacuation and cargo flights only. Regular commercial flights remain suspended. Qatar Airways operated special repatriation flights to European cities.
The Salwa land border crossing to Saudi Arabia is open. The Indian Embassy is facilitating transit visas for stranded Indians.
Bottom line for Indians in Qatar:
Qatar’s situation is uniquely troubling because the country had the closest diplomatic relationship with Iran among all GCC states.
Iran struck Qatar without warning or communication – destroying the diplomatic shield that many assumed would protect the country.
The LNG production halt has economic implications that will affect jobs in the energy sector for months. The post-World Cup economic cooling was already underway.
Bahrain – 350,000 Indians
Bahrain is the smallest GCC country and hosts about 350,000 Indians.
What’s happened:
Bahrain has been hit hard relative to its size. Iran has launched over 100 ballistic missiles and 170+ drones at Bahrain.
The US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama was targeted. Residential buildings were struck. A desalination plant was damaged. An oil refinery was hit. An Iranian drone slammed into a tower block near the 5th Fleet headquarters.
One shipyard worker was killed by debris. 32 people were injured, including children requiring surgery.
Bahrain’s oil refinery operator Bapco declared force majeure on operations.
Current status:
Bahrain’s airspace remains closed. The Indian Embassy is facilitating transit through Saudi Arabia. All Air India Express flights to Bahrain are cancelled until at least March 13.
Bottom line for Indians in Bahrain:
Bahrain is arguably the most vulnerable GCC country. It’s tiny (just 760 sq km), densely populated, and sits directly across the Persian Gulf from Iran.
It hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, making it a permanent target. Its debt-to-GDP ratio was already the highest in the GCC at 107%.
The combination of physical vulnerability, economic fragility, and military targeting makes Bahrain the highest-risk country for Indian families right now.
Oman – 770,000 Indians
Oman has about 770,000 Indians and has historically been the most neutral GCC state.
What’s happened:
Oman was the only GCC country Iran didn’t strike on the first day. Iran has a longstanding diplomatic understanding with Oman, which has served as a mediator between Iran and the West for years.
However, Oman has not been entirely spared. A fuel tank at Duqm commercial port was hit by a drone attack, causing limited damage. Two drones wounded an expat worker in a separate incident. Iran denied attacking Oman.
Current status:
Oman’s airspace remains open. Muscat has become the primary staging point for evacuation and repositioning flights from across the region. Airlines are using Muscat to position for repatriation flights.
Oman’s airspace is the only fully operational one in the Gulf region right now.
Bottom line for Indians in Oman:
Oman is clearly the safest GCC country in this conflict. Its mediation role, geographic position, and lighter US military footprint have given it relative protection.
That said, “relative” is doing heavy lifting in that sentence. Oman has still been struck. And if the conflict widens further, no Gulf country can guarantee safety.
For Indians considering staying in the GCC long-term, Oman may offer the least risk – but it also has fewer job opportunities than Dubai, Riyadh, or Doha.
The Bigger Picture – What’s Changed Permanently
Let me step back from the country-by-country details and say something broader.
I’ve been helping NRIs plan their return to India since 2017. I’ve seen cycles of anxiety – COVID, US immigration policy changes, economic downturns.
This is different.
Here’s why.
The “safe oasis” narrative is broken.
The entire Gulf economy – from Dubai’s tourism to Qatar’s LNG to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 – was built on the promise that this region was a stable, secure place to live and invest.
That promise was shattered on February 28.
Iran fired over 1,000 projectiles at the UAE alone. Missiles hit airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait.
Hotels, office towers, and residential buildings were damaged. Five-star resorts burned.
Even with excellent air defense systems, debris from interceptions is killing people.
The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed.
This waterway carries 20% of the world’s oil. Over 150 freight ships were stalled. Three Indian nationals were killed on oil tankers in the strait. Global oil prices have jumped 27% in one week.
If you work in oil, gas, logistics, or shipping in the Gulf, the economic disruption from the Hormuz closure alone changes your career calculus.
Every GCC country was hit.
Not five out of six. All six. Including Oman, which has the closest relationship with Iran. The assumption that diplomacy would shield certain countries from attack has been proven wrong.
Indian lives have been lost.
Three Indian nationals were killed on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. An Indian national was killed in a residential building strike in Saudi Arabia. Indians have been injured across multiple countries. This is not abstract risk.
9 million Indians are exposed.
The Indian government moved swiftly – over 52,000 Indians returned to India between March 1-7. But that’s barely 0.6% of the Indian population in the Gulf. The vast majority are still there, living through daily missile alerts and airspace closures.
So – Should You Stay or Come Back?
I can’t make this decision for you. Nobody can.
But I can give you a framework.
Consider leaving if:
- You have young children or elderly family members with you
- You’re on a short-term or tourist visa with no strong employment ties
- Your job is in a sector likely to face major disruption (oil and gas contractors, tourism, hospitality, aviation)
- You live in a high-risk area near military bases or critical infrastructure
- The daily anxiety is affecting your family’s mental health
- You’ve been thinking about returning to India anyway and this is the catalyst
Consider staying (with preparation) if:
- You have a stable job with a strong employer
- Your company has good emergency protocols
- You’re in a relatively safer area within the country
- Your children are in the middle of critical exams
- You have significant financial obligations that require a planned exit
- You’re prepared with emergency supplies, document backups, and a clear exit plan
Regardless of your decision, do these things immediately:
- Secure and digitize all important documents
- Save your country’s Indian Embassy helpline numbers
- Start transferring savings to India in batches
- Open an NRE/NRO account if you don’t have one
- Have an exit plan ready even if you don’t use it
- Follow only official sources for updates (not WhatsApp forwards)
- Keep your family in India informed of your plans
Indian Embassy Helplines – All GCC Countries
Save these now. Share with family.
| Country | Helpline Numbers | |
|---|---|---|
| UAE (Abu Dhabi) | 800-46342, +971 543090571 | [email protected] |
| Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | +966 11 4884144 | [email protected] |
| Kuwait | +965 6550 1946 | [email protected] |
| Qatar (Doha) | +974 5564 7502, +974 5536 2508 | [email protected] |
| Bahrain | +973 3941 8071, +973 3840 0433 | [email protected] |
| Oman (Muscat) | +968 2468 4500 | [email protected] |
MEA Special Control Room (India): The Ministry of External Affairs has set up a dedicated control room to monitor the Gulf situation.
MADAD Portal: madad.gov.in – for registering consular grievances from anywhere.
What India Is Doing
Credit where it’s due.
The Indian government has been active:
- Over 52,000 Indians returned safely from the Gulf between March 1-7, with 32,107 on Indian carriers
- Indian embassies in all GCC countries have activated 24/7 helplines
- Transit visa facilitation through Saudi Arabia for Indians stranded in Bahrain and Qatar
- CBSE board examination adjustments for students in affected countries
- MEA’s Special Control Room is monitoring the situation at the highest levels
- Prime Minister chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting
India’s track record with Gulf evacuations is strong. The 2015 Yemen evacuation (Operation Raahat) and 1990 Kuwait evacuation (the largest airlift in history at the time) showed India can move fast when needed.
But 9 million people is a different scale entirely. If the conflict escalates further, the logistics of a mass return would be unprecedented.
Planning Your Return – Where to Start
If this situation has made you decide to plan a permanent move back, here’s where to begin.
We’ve published detailed, country-specific return guides:
- Return from UAE – Covers Dubai, Abu Dhabi specific considerations
- Return from Bahrain – Embassy contacts, indemnity rights, financial planning
- Return from Kuwait – Kuwaitization impact, Kafala exit system, NORKA resources
- Return from Qatar – LNG sector impact, QID cancellation, school transfers
Each guide covers the two-track approach – immediate safety measures plus long-term return planning.
For financial preparation, start with our financial checklist for returning NRIs. For choosing a city, check our best cities guide.
If you’re dealing with money transfers during this period, remember that banking systems are strained but functioning. Use SWIFT transfers through established banks. Transfer in batches. Keep all records.
What Happens Next
I want to be honest about something.
I don’t know how this war ends. Nobody does.
President Trump has said Operation Epic Fury is designed to last 4-6 weeks. Iran’s new Supreme Leader (Mojtaba Khamenei, elected March 8) has not signaled any willingness to stop. Iran’s President Pezeshkian said strikes on Gulf neighbors would halt only if their territory isn’t used to attack Iran – but US bases remain in every GCC country.
Qatar’s Energy Minister warned that if the war continues for weeks, Gulf energy exports could halt entirely, impacting global GDP.
There are scenarios where this de-escalates quickly. There are scenarios where it gets worse.
What I do know is this: the Gulf will never feel exactly the same again.
Even when the missiles stop, the trust gap between Iran and its Gulf neighbors will last decades, as one UAE official put it. The assumption that these countries were immune to direct military attack has been permanently shattered.
That doesn’t mean the Gulf becomes unlivable. It means the decision to live there needs to be a conscious, informed choice with eyes wide open – not just inertia.
A Final Word
If you’re reading this from a GCC country right now, maybe while a news alert flashes on your phone, here’s what I want you to know.
You are not alone.
Nine million Indians are in the Gulf. Over 20,000 are in our WhatsApp community. Many of them are going through exactly what you’re going through right now.
Fear is normal. Uncertainty is normal. Not knowing what to do is normal.
But doing nothing isn’t a plan. And panic isn’t a plan either.
Read this guide. Talk to your family. Make a decision – even if that decision is “I’ll stay for now with a clear exit plan.”
And if you decide India is calling you home, know this: thousands have made this journey. India is ready. The country has changed. The opportunities are there.
I made this move in 2017. One of the best decisions of my life.
Whatever you decide, make it from a place of clarity, not chaos.
We’re here if you need us.
If you’re planning your move back, join our WhatsApp community at https://backtoindia.com/groups – 20,000+ NRIs helping each other with real, lived experience. It’s free and volunteer-run.
Disclaimer: This assessment is based on publicly available information as of March 10, 2026. The conflict situation is evolving rapidly. This is not legal, financial, or security advice. Always follow official advisories from Indian embassies, MEA, and local authorities. Your personal safety decisions should account for your specific circumstances, location, and family situation.
Last updated: March 10, 2026
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