Saudi Arabia and UAE Account for Bulk of Indian National Deportations Over Five-Year Period
According to official data presented in Parliament, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been responsible for the highest number of deportations involving Indian nationals over the last five years. The comprehensive figures, covering the period from 2021 to 2025, reveal that a total of 168,665 Indian citizens were deported during this timeframe, with these two West Asian nations dominating the statistics.
Concentration in Key Destination Regions
The Ministry of External Affairs shared this detailed information on Thursday in response to a parliamentary question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala concerning irregular migration patterns and the notorious "Dunki route." The data clearly indicates that deportations are heavily concentrated within a small cluster of destination countries located primarily in West Asia, Southeast Asia, and North America—regions that host substantial populations of Indian migrants.
Saudi Arabia emerged as the single largest source of deportations, accounting for over 120,000 cases, which represents a staggering 72.1% of all Indian deportations during the five-year period. The United Arab Emirates followed with 21,310 deportations, a figure largely driven by a significant increase in deportations from Dubai since 2023.
Other Notable Deporting Nations
Malaysia and Qatar also featured prominently in the deportation statistics, reflecting stricter labor and immigration enforcement measures implemented in the post-pandemic era. Furthermore, the data shows that 8,518 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom over the last five years. Notably, nearly half of these deportations (4,122) occurred in 2025 alone.
Deportations from the United States registered a sharp spike during the 2024–25 period, while Canada consistently remained among the top ten countries deporting Indian citizens. Although specific state-wise data was not provided, parliamentary records indicate that Punjab and Haryana account for a significant portion of these deportations.
Government Response and Diplomatic Engagements
Regarding allegations of ill-treatment during deportation procedures, particularly in the United States, Parliament was informed that the Government of India maintains close coordination with US authorities and other foreign governments on all matters pertaining to the deportation of Indian citizens. "Such deportations are subject to an unambiguous verification of their Indian nationality," the government stated.
The government further emphasized its ongoing dialogue with US officials concerning the necessity for humane treatment of Indian nationals during deportation operations. "We have registered our concerns with the US authorities, particularly with respect to the use of restraints on deportees, especially women and children," officials informed the House.
Crackdown on Illegal Agents and Trafficking Syndicates
In response to questions about illegal recruitment agents and human trafficking networks, Parliament was notified that central and state governments, alongside law enforcement agencies, have registered numerous cases based on accounts and testimonies provided by returning deportees. Investigations are currently underway against several illegal recruitment agents, criminal facilitators, and human trafficking syndicates operating these illicit rackets.
Additionally, the government revealed that as of December 2025, a total of 3,505 unregistered agents have been officially notified on the e-Migrate portal, marking a significant step in curbing unauthorized migration facilitation.
Parliamentary Inquiry and Broader Concerns
Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala had specifically requested country-wise and year-wise details of Indian deportations over the past five years. His inquiry also sought information on whether the government had examined the role of organized human trafficking syndicates and unregistered travel agents in facilitating such movements. Furthermore, he questioned whether formal concerns had been raised with foreign governments regarding reports of restraint use, lack of due process, and degrading conditions during deportation operations.
The comprehensive data presentation and subsequent government responses highlight the complex challenges surrounding international migration, deportation protocols, and the protection of Indian nationals abroad, underscoring the need for continued diplomatic engagement and robust enforcement against illegal migration networks.
