Fadnavis announces support to Maharashtrians in UAE as stranded Indians complain

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday extended support to Maharashtrians stranded in the Middle East urging them to stay calm and remain in touch with official channels amid ongoing tensions in the West AsiaIn a post on X formerly Twitter Fadnavis said the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai are in constant contact with representatives of the Indian community including those from MaharashtraIn view of the prevailing situation in the Middle East the embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the consulate general of India in Dubai are in touch with representatives of the Indian community including those from MaharashtraIn its latest outreach to the Indian community thehellip pictwittercomB7OTdWAA3umdash CMO Maharashtra CMOMaharashtra March 3 2026ldquoIn view of the prevailing situation in the Middle East the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has informed the community that the Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring the evolving situation The community is advised not to panic and is reassured of the full support of the Government of Indiardquo he wroteHe further advised Maharashtrians stranded in the UAE to rely only on authentic updates from the official handles of the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi IndembAbuDhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai cgidubaiHelpline numbers for Indians stranded in UAEThose requiring assistance have been asked to contact the Indian diplomatic missions through the followingTollfree number 80046342WhatsApp 971543090571In coordination with the Indian Peoplersquos Forum in Dubai the Maharashtra government has also released a dedicated WhatsApp helpline number for assistance 97150 365 4357The CM assured that the state government remains in close coordination with central authorities to facilitate support and safe return if requiredIndians stranded in UAE allege lack of support from embassy airlines amid evacuation concernsMultiple Indian citizens stuck in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have raised complaints on X claiming the Embassy of India has not provided updates on the governmentrsquos evacuation planOne user tweeted ldquoI visited the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi today and asked about the evacuation plan They donrsquot have any updates I am travelling with my parents and kids My father has health issues Airlines are continually reschedulingrdquoSir i visited the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi today and asked about the Indian government Evacuation plan They dont have any updates I am travelling with my parents kids My father is suffering healthy issues Airlines are continually reschedulingmdash Ashish Gawade AshishGawade March 3 2026Another user stuck in Dubai said ldquoNo point in reaching out they are only sending automated messagesrdquoNo point of reaching out they are only sending automated messages IndembAbuDhabi amp cgidubai pictwittercom8pPCguZnwwmdash Rahul Dubey naanrdk March 4 2026A third user highlighted difficulties contacting the helpline stating ldquoThe tollfree number 80046342 is not answered WhatsApp only sends automated messages and no online evacuation form is available Very disappointedrdquoSorry to say that the Toll free number 80046342 no one pics up and WhatsApp they send automated message nor online any evacuation form is available Very disappointed mdash Ameya Phadnis Ameya_phadnis March 4 2026These complaints reflect growing frustration among Indian citizens in the UAE over unclear evacuation guidance amid ongoing disruptions