Current Affairs Topics Archive
International Relations Economics Polity & Governance Environment & Ecology Science & Technology Internal Security Geography Social Issues Art & Culture Modern History

India condemns attacks on Gulf states, PM says working to protect Indians

March 03, 2026 4 min read International Relations Internal Security GS2 GS3
On This Page ▼

What Happened

  • Prime Minister Modi condemned military strikes on the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, expressing India's disapproval of Iran's retaliatory attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations without directly naming Iran.
  • The PM spoke with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and Jordan's King Abdullah II, emphasising the need for de-escalation and dialogue.
  • The context: following a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28, 2026 that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones across the region targeting US assets hosted in Gulf states.
  • India's primary concern is the safety of approximately 9 million Indian nationals living in West Asian countries, alongside its energy security interests tied closely to Gulf oil supplies.
  • The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) convened to assess developments and India's strategic response.

Static Topic Bridges

India-GCC Strategic and Economic Partnership

The Gulf Cooperation Council comprises six nations — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. India's engagement with the GCC has evolved from a purely transactional energy relationship into a multidimensional strategic partnership. The first India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue was held in September 2024, the first such meeting at the Foreign Minister level.

  • India's bilateral trade with GCC exceeded USD 161 billion in FY 2023-24.
  • GCC countries collectively meet over 60% of India's crude oil and a significant share of its natural gas import requirements.
  • Nearly 9 million Indians live across GCC states, remitting over USD 50 billion annually — making India the world's largest recipient of remittances.
  • Joint Action Plan 2024-2028 adopted covering health, trade, security, energy, agriculture and culture.

Connection to this news: India's swift diplomatic outreach to Saudi and Bahraini leaders reflects this layered partnership — protecting diaspora welfare while safeguarding energy supply lines critical to India's economy.

India's 'Strategic Autonomy' in West Asian Conflicts

India has historically practised strategic autonomy in West Asian geopolitics, maintaining relationships with both Israel and Arab states, and avoiding formal military alliances. India's foreign policy in West Asia is guided by multi-alignment — engaging the US, Israel, GCC, and Iran simultaneously without binding commitments to any bloc. This approach was formalised through the 2005 Strategic Partnership with UAE, 2010 Strategic Partnership with Saudi Arabia, and ongoing defence cooperation with Israel (India's largest defence partner).

  • India abstained on multiple UN votes regarding West Asian conflicts.
  • India imports oil from Iran under a rupee-payment mechanism (when under sanctions).
  • India is a member of the I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA) grouping, a geometry that reflects its West Asian balancing act.
  • India maintains a diplomatic mission in Tehran and cooperates with Iran on Chabahar Port development.

Connection to this news: PM Modi's condemnation of Gulf strikes without naming Iran publicly illustrates this strategic calibration — India signalled alignment with GCC partners under threat while keeping diplomatic channels with all parties intact.

Protection of Indian Diaspora — Constitutional and Policy Dimensions

The Indian Constitution does not extend fundamental rights to citizens abroad, yet the Government of India has evolved a robust evacuation and protection framework. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) operates Emergency Response Centres and has conducted landmark evacuations: Operation Ajay (Israel, 2023), Operation Kaveri (Sudan, 2023), Operation Ganga (Ukraine, 2022), and earlier Operation Rahat (Yemen, 2015, 4,640 Indians evacuated).

  • The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) assists distressed workers abroad.
  • The Emigration Act, 1983 (under revision) governs emigration to ECR (Emigration Check Required) countries, including several GCC nations.
  • The e-Migrate system monitors Indian workers in destination countries.
  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is held every two years to engage diaspora communities.

Connection to this news: PM Modi's explicit statement about "working to protect Indians" activates this framework — the CCS deliberations likely encompassed evacuation planning, advisory issuance, and coordination with GCC host governments for diaspora safety.

Key Facts & Data

  • Approximately 9 million Indians live across GCC states — the largest diaspora concentration in the world by geographic cluster.
  • Indian remittances from GCC exceed USD 50 billion annually; UAE alone accounts for the largest share.
  • GCC supplies over 60% of India's crude oil imports and around 70% of LNG requirements.
  • Iran fired an estimated 137 missiles and 209 drones into the UAE during the initial retaliatory strikes (February 28, 2026).
  • US Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain (Manama) was targeted by Iranian missiles.
  • India-GCC trade: USD 161 billion (FY 2023-24), led by UAE and Saudi Arabia.
  • Operation Rahat (Yemen, 2015): 4,640 Indians and 960 foreign nationals evacuated — India's largest peacetime evacuation.
  • The I2U2 grouping (India, Israel, UAE, USA) was formalised in 2022.