Flight Disruptions Leave Hundreds of Indians Stuck Across Gulf Including 84 MBA Students

The escalating conflict in the Middle East between Iran, the United States, and Israel has left thousands of Indian nationals stranded across the region, with particular concern mounting over approximately 1,200 students from Jammu and Kashmir trapped in Iran and 84 MBA students stuck in Dubai amid widespread flight cancellations and airspace closures. As joint US-Israeli strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026, followed by Iranian retaliatory missile and drone attacks, major airports in the Gulf—including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and others—shut down operations, stranding travelers and disrupting return routes for those in conflict-adjacent areas.

In Iran, where around 3,000 Indian students—predominantly pursuing affordable medical degrees—are enrolled, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) reports that roughly 1,200 from the Kashmir Valley remain in affected territories despite an Indian embassy advisory issued on February 23 urging nationals to depart via available means. Many had left earlier, but others stayed for crucial exams scheduled around March 5 or faced university restrictions warning of academic penalties for departure. Students describe harrowing conditions: intermittent internet blackouts, frequent bomb sounds, closed universities and hospitals for up to 15 days, and constant fear from ongoing strikes and explosions in cities like Tehran. JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent evacuation, emphasizing the distress among families in the Kashmir Valley and calling for diplomatic channels to facilitate safe return.

Separately, 84 MBA students from Pune's Indira School of Business Studies (ISBS) are stranded in Dubai after their five-day study tour coincided with the crisis. Iran's attacks on US-affiliated sites in the UAE triggered emergency shelter alerts, missile interceptions, and complete halts to international flights at Dubai International Airport, leaving the group unable to return home. Broader disruptions have affected thousands more Indians—passengers diverted or grounded at Gulf hubs, workers in Bahrain and other states, and travelers rerouted amid closures in Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Families across states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal express growing anxiety over relatives' safety, with some reporting no communication due to regional instability.

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The Indian government has ramped up efforts to safeguard nationals, with the Ministry of External Affairs issuing advisories for citizens in Iran, Israel, and Gulf countries to exercise utmost caution, stay indoors, and avoid unnecessary travel. Embassies maintain contact with affected groups, though airspace bans severely limit evacuation options; commercial flights remain suspended, and military or special arrangements may be required if the situation worsens. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi confirmed ongoing work to repatriate stranded individuals, describing the environment as "very difficult" and "volatile."

This crisis highlights the vulnerability of India's large diaspora and student population in the Middle East, where affordable education in Iran and economic opportunities in the Gulf draw many from states like Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, and Maharashtra. As tit-for-tat military actions persist with no immediate de-escalation, the humanitarian impact on civilians—including fears of injury, disrupted studies, financial strain, and psychological trauma—continues to grow, prompting calls for swift diplomatic intervention and contingency planning to bring Indians home safely. Authorities urge affected families to stay in touch with embassies and monitor official updates amid the fluid and dangerous regional developments.

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