New Delhi: India has assured visa relief to foreign travellers stranded due to flight cancellations triggered by the escalating West Asia crisis. Airlines are slashing hundreds of international flights amid security concerns in the Middle East, disrupting plans for many visitors in the country.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an advisory on Sunday urging affected foreign nationals to contact their nearest Foreigners Regional Registr
ation Office (FRRO) for visa extensions or stay regularization.
“All foreign nationals in India who had to change travel plans due to West Asia events and need assistance with visa extensions or regularization should approach the closest FRRO,” the MEA stated. FRRO offices stand ready to help, though exact numbers of stranded tourists remain unclear.
The crisis intensified on February 28 when Israel and the United States carried out strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and military targets. Iran retaliated swiftly, prompting widespread airspace closures over Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and surrounding regions.
Air India cancelled 22 more international flights for Sunday, totaling 50 so far due to Middle East unrest. The Civil Aviation Ministry expects 444 international flights by Indian carriers to be cancelled Sunday over airspace curbs.