The future of NRIs in the Gulf hangs in the balance as conflict appears to be spreading in the Middle East.

The veneer of stability in Gulf countries has been lost its gloss after Israeli-US strikes on Iran last weekend and the unwarranted retaliation by Tehran against its Gulf neighbours.

For the 9 million Indian expats living and working in the Gulf, the crisis will hurt harder and deeper if the conflict drags on into another week or longer.

US strategic interests are clearly not in alignment with with Indian economic interests and it will hamper the India growth story.

The US, meanwhile, is evacuating its citizens from the region. India could follow suit in a few weeks if Gulf job losses loom and the economic situation worsens.

NRIs are aware they are migrant workers and dwellers after all. New Delhi has done emergency evacuations before and NRIs are confident their government will rise to the occasion if the situation warrants it.

Indian missions have been active over the week, reassuring NRIs that they are close at hand and ready to assist in any eventuality. Gulf countries are countering Iranian missiles and drones effectively, though some debris has resulted in deaths.

That said, the situation remains tense and dangerous, but there is no need to panic yet. NRIs will be well advised to follow local media and advisories, while tracking social media for updates from their missions till the situation eases.

Attacks from Iran have since subsided. The US-Israeli campaign has degraded Iran’s ability to fire more missiles. It is a matter of time before their stocks run out. An Iran that does not threaten the Gulf will be a safer, long-term destination for NRIs.

That day may be close at hand if the bombing campaign meets its objectives and Iran seeks a ceasefire for a frest start in the Middle East. – editor@nrifocus.com