Doha: The Indian Embassy in Qatar has urged its large community of over 830,000 nationals to take strict safety measures amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The advisory, issued on Friday, comes as the region grapples with a sharp escalation following the killing of Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli strikes in Tehran on February 28. His death has triggered fierce retaliation from Iran, including waves of drone and missile attacks on US and allied bases across the Gulf.
The Al Udeid Air Base near Doha — the largest US military installation in the Middle East and forward headquarters for US Central Command — has been directly hit. Iranian strikes have pounded the base repeatedly in recent days, heightening fears of broader conflict.
In response, Qatar shut its airspace and halted all flights, stranding an estimated 830,000-836,000 Indians who form a large expatriate community in the Gulf nation. To ease the situation, Qatar extended all expiring entry visas by one month, letting stranded visitors stay legally.
Stressing compliance with local rules, the embassy advisory stressed: “In view of the current security situation, all Indians in Qatar are requested to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the Qatari authorities, in particular, the Ministry of Interior.”
The Indian Embassy noted that Qatari officials have urged all residents to stay in safe locations, avoid going out except in cases of extreme necessity, and keep away from windows and exposed areas.
For emergencies, land exit remains possible.
“In case of emergency, the option of exiting Qatar through the Salwa land border crossing to Saudi Arabia is currently open,” the Embassy noted.
“All other logistical arrangements related to travel up to the Salwa border crossing and beyond to the departure airport etc. will need to be made by each individual themselves.”
The advisory said the Indian mission in Doha is available 24/7 via helplines +974 55647502 or +974 55362508, or email cons.doha@mea.gov.in.
