Indian nationals who are stranded in Gulf countries should expect more repatriation flights in the first week of July.
The fourth phase of the Vande Bharat Mission, or Salute India Mission, will begin on July 3 to bring Indians seeking to return home.
The focus of the mission will be on repatriating citizens from the Gulf nations, said the Indian government.
More than 450,000 Indians registered with the consulate in Dubai and embassy in Abu Dhabi look forward to returning to their families in India.
"We are committed to bringing back our remaining compatriots, particularly in the GCC countries, Malaysia, Singapore, among other places," said Anurag Srivastava, spokesman of India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
"In order to continue with our efforts, phase four of Vande Bharat Mission has been firmed up with effect from July 3.
"This phase will particularly focus on countries where we still have a large number of Indians who have registered to return," he said.
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Stranded Indian passengers who arrived by an Air India flight from Singapore wait for transport. EPA -
Indian nationals in Oman wearing face masks get their body temperatures checked at a terminal in Muscat International Airport. AFP -
A man wearing latex gloves and a mask checks airline tickets and travel documents in Muscat. AFP -
Medical staff collect a sample from an Indian citizen flown home from Dubai by Air India flight at the Chennai International Airport in southern Tamil Nadu state. AFP -
Indian citizens queue at Kuwait International Airport before boarding a repatriation flight to India. AFP -
Stranded Indian passengers who arrived by an Air India flight from Singapore wait to come out of the terminal. EPA -
A security personnel wearing protective gear stands guard as he waits for Indian citizens flown home from Dubai by Air India flight to arrive at the Chennai International Airport in southern Tamil Nadu state. AFP -
Indian citizens flown home from Dubai by Air India flight arrive at the Chennai International Airport in southern Tamil Nadu state. AFP -
Pavan Kapoor, India’s ambassador to the UAE, says the leaders of both nations have been in regular contact throughout the pandemic. Indian Embassy, Abu Dhabi
The Vande Bharat Mission, which is in its seventh week, has brought back 364,209 Indians from over 50 countries.
The Indian government’s mission to repatriate citizens who have lost jobs abroad began in May.
"Demand for these flights remains very high, especially in the Gulf region and, therefore, we are moving to further streamline the process," Mr Srivastava said.
Indians in the emirates appealed for more flights from the UAE, which is home to the world’s largest non-resident Indian population of more than 3.4 million.
Only 25 flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi on government carriers Air India Express and Air India were announced during the third Vande Bharat repatriation phase.
Between May 7 and early June, about 21,000 Indians were flown home.
Last week, UAE residents who were stranded in India were told to expect flights to the emirates in the coming weeks.
