A staggering 10,150 Indians are currently imprisoned in various foreign countries, with the highest concentrations found in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia holds the largest share, with 2,633 Indian nationals behind bars, while the UAE follows closely with 2,518 incarcerated Indians. These alarming figures highlight the growing issue of Indian nationals facing legal troubles and imprisonment in foreign lands, raising concerns about the treatment, legal rights, and the future of these individuals caught in a complex web of international legal systems.
Over 10,000 Indian nationals are currently imprisoned in various countries, with 49 facing death sentences, the government revealed to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The largest group of detainees, totaling 2,633, are held in Saudi Arabia, followed by 2,518 in the United Arab Emirates.
According to the Ministry’s data, there are currently 10,152 Indian nationals, including both convicted prisoners and undertrials, incarcerated abroad. However, due to strict privacy laws in many nations, local authorities are often unable to provide prisoner details unless the individual consents to the release of such information. Even when information is shared, it is usually limited and lacks specific details about foreign nationals in custody. Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, stated this in a written reply to a query raised by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP Abdul Wahab.
Singh emphasized that the government prioritizes the safety, security, and well-being of Indian citizens abroad, including those in foreign prisons. Indian missions and posts worldwide actively monitor and remain alert to the cases of Indians incarcerated overseas, especially those who may have violated or are alleged to have violated local laws.
Indians Incarcerated Around the World
According to the information provided by the Minister, Nepal is third on the list with 1,317 Indian nationals in prison. Other countries with significant numbers of Indians behind bars include Qatar (611), Kuwait (387), Malaysia (338), Pakistan (266), China (173), the United States (169), Oman (148), and both Russia and Myanmar, each with 27.
The data also highlights that since 2020, Kuwait has had the highest number of Indians on death row, with 25 cases of capital punishment. Saudi Arabia follows with nine, Zimbabwe with seven, Malaysia with five, and Jamaica with one.
The Ministry also noted that while the UAE has not released the number of Indian executions, no executions of Indians occurred there between 2020 and 2024. However, three Indians were executed in the UAE earlier this year, including a nurse from Uttar Pradesh and a man from Kerala.
