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LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2130
ANSWERED ON- 12/12/2025

CASES REGISTERED AGAINST INDIANS IN GULF COUNTRIES

2130. SHRI HARENDRA SINGH MALIK

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether cases have been registered in Gulf countries against Indians, who went there for employment during the last five years, if so, the details and present status thereof; and

(b) whether the Government provides any information to them about the basic living conditions and laws of the country, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a & b) Due to privacy laws, most of the foreign countries do not share details of cases registered against Indian nationals, including detention, arrest, imprisonment, etc. Government comes to know about such cases only when they are reported to the Indian Missions/Posts abroad. As per data available with the Indian Mission/Posts in certain Gulf countries, the number of Indian nationals in prisons is as under:

As soon as the information about the detention/arrest/imprisonment of an Indian national is received by the Indian Embassy/Consulate, the officials immediately get in touch with the local Foreign Office and other concerned local authorities for consular access to the detained/arrested Indian national to ascertain the facts of the case, his/her Indian nationality and to ensure his/her welfare. The Embassy/Consulate remains vigilant to ensure that rights of the Indian nationals in such cases are protected.

The issue of release and repatriation of Indian nationals in such cases is regularly pursued by Indian Missions and Posts abroad with the local authorities concerned. Missions/Posts abroad also approach the law enforcement agencies to complete the investigation and judicial proceedings at the earliest possible. The Government also follows up this issue during consular and other consultations with other countries. In addition, the Government, through its Missions/Posts abroad and during high level visits, also takes up and pursues grant of amnesty/commutation of sentences of Indian prisoners in foreign countries. India has also entered into prisoner transfer treaties with many nations that allow a person convicted of a crime to be transferred to his/her home country to serve the prison sentence.

Apart from extending all possible consular assistance to Indian nationals imprisoned abroad, Indian Missions and Posts also assist in providing legal aid wherever needed. Missions and Posts also maintain a local panel of lawyers where Indian community is in sizeable numbers. No fee is charged from any Indian prisoner for extending facilities by the Indian Embassy/Consulate concerned. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is set up in Indian Missions & Posts abroad for assisting overseas Indian nationals in distress situations on a means tested basis in deserving cases. The support extended under ICWF includes financial assistance to Indian prisoners for legal aid as well as travel documents / air tickets during repatriation.

The workers are provided Pre-Departure Orientation & Training (PDOT) familarizing them with living conditions, regulations of the destination country, soft skills, do’s and dont’s, etc. As of 31st October 2025, PDOT Training to more than 2,22,387 prospective emigrants has been imparted.

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