Over 10,000 Indian nationals are currently incarcerated in foreign jails, with 49 facing death sentences, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia holds the highest number of Indian prisoners at 2,633, followed closely by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 2,518.
Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, emphasised that ensuring the safety and well-being of Indians abroad, including those in foreign jails, remains a top priority for the government.
He stated that Indian diplomatic missions closely monitor such cases and actively engage with local authorities. Singh made these remarks in response to a question by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP Abdul Wahab.
According to the minister’s data, Nepal ranks third with 1,317 Indians imprisoned. Other countries with significant numbers of Indian inmates include Qatar (611), Kuwait (387), Malaysia (338), Pakistan (266), China (173), the United States (169), Oman (148), while Russia and Myanmar each have 27.
Executions
The report also revealed that since 2020, Kuwait has executed 25 Indians, the highest among countries where Indians face capital punishment.
Saudi Arabia followed with nine executions, while Zimbabwe recorded seven, Malaysia five, and Jamaica one.
The UAE has not disclosed execution figures but confirmed that no Indians were executed between 2020 and 2024. However, three Indians, including a nurse from Uttar Pradesh and a man from Kerala, were executed there in February 2024.
Among the 49 Indians currently on death row, the UAE holds 25, Saudi Arabia 11, Malaysia six, and Kuwait three. Additionally, one Indian national is facing the death penalty in Indonesia, Qatar, the United States, and Yemen.
Repatriation Efforts
The government reaffirmed its commitment to securing the release and repatriation of Indian nationals held in foreign jails.
Diplomatic missions regularly engage with local authorities to expedite legal proceedings and investigations. Furthermore, Indian prisoners are provided with consular access, legal aid, and support in filing appeals or mercy petitions.
