For any individual, the thought of imprisonment is terrifying. However, being imprisoned in a foreign land, far from home, can be an even more harrowing experience. Thousands of Indian nationals have languished in jails overseas—some for years, others for decades—often with little means to seek help due to their distance from home.
After coming to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took swift action to address this issue, prioritizing the repatriation of Indians stuck in foreign jails. At that time, the number of Indians imprisoned abroad exceeded 10,000, including fishermen who unknowingly ventured into foreign waters, villagers who accidentally crossed unmarked borders, and tourists who overstayed their visas.
Through a combination of diplomatic negotiations, high-level talks, and direct interventions, the Government of India has secured the release of nearly 10,000 Indian nationals from jails abroad over the past decade.
Massive Diplomatic Efforts for Repatriation
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), working in coordination with India’s embassies and consulates, has played a pivotal role in securing these releases. However, many high-profile cases required direct intervention from Prime Minister Modi, who leveraged his strong rapport with world leaders to ensure the return of Indian citizens.
The latest success in this ongoing effort came with the pardon of 500 Indian prisoners in the UAE, highlighting the strong diplomatic ties between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, India’s high-level diplomatic interventions have resulted in the release of thousands of Indian nationals from various countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
Key Cases of Indian Nationals Released from Foreign Prisons
1. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Between 2022 and 2025, the UAE has pardoned hundreds of Indian prisoners each year, particularly during Ramzan and Eid as a gesture of goodwill.
- 2022: 639 Indian prisoners released
- 2023: More than 700 released
- 2024: 944 released
- 2025 (so far): 500 released
2. Saudi Arabia
During his 2019 visit to India, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the release of 850 Indian prisoners as a diplomatic gesture.
3. Qatar
A major diplomatic success came when New Delhi secured the release of 8 Indian Navy veterans facing the death penalty in Qatar. This was achieved through months of high-level negotiations and diplomatic dialogue. Most of the released individuals were subsequently allowed to return to India.
4. Iran
In 2023 and 2024, Iran released a total of 120 Indian nationals from its prisons:
- 2023: 43 Indian prisoners freed (including 12 fishermen)
- 2024: 77 Indian prisoners freed
5. Bahrain
During PM Modi’s visit to Bahrain in 2019, the Government of Bahrain released 250 Indian prisoners as a gesture of friendship.
6. Kuwait
In 2017, after multiple rounds of diplomatic discussions, the Emir of Kuwait agreed to:
- Release 22 Indian prisoners
- Reduce sentences for 97 others
7. Sri Lanka
One of the most common cases of Indians being jailed abroad involves fishermen accidentally crossing into Sri Lankan waters. Since 2014, continuous diplomatic interventions have led to the release of 3,697 Indian fishermen from Sri Lankan custody.
8. Pakistan
Due to long-standing diplomatic tensions, securing the release of Indians imprisoned in Pakistan has been particularly challenging. However, relentless efforts by the Indian government have resulted in:
- 2,639 Indian fishermen released since 2014
- 71 civilian prisoners freed
India’s Diplomatic Stature and Global Influence
The successful release of thousands of Indian nationals reflects India’s growing diplomatic and economic influence on the global stage. Over the last decade, India has significantly strengthened its relationships with key Gulf nations, South Asian neighbors, and other global powers, enabling smoother negotiations on sensitive issues like prisoner repatriation.
The MEA statement emphasized that these diplomatic breakthroughs were largely made possible due to the personal rapport PM Modi has built with world leaders. As India’s global stature continues to rise, the country is increasingly able to protect its citizens abroad and ensure that they are treated fairly under international law.
India’s Commitment to Protecting Its Citizens Abroad
The Government of India remains firmly committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian citizens living, working, or traveling abroad. The Foreign Ministry, Indian embassies, and PM Modi’s leadership have together ensured that:
- Indians wrongly jailed or detained abroad receive legal and diplomatic support.
- Prisoner repatriations remain a priority in bilateral talks with foreign nations.
- Indian fishermen and border-crossing civilians are protected through diplomatic channels.
As India continues to grow as a global economic and political power, its ability to influence international negotiations and protect its citizens overseas is stronger than ever. The release of nearly 10,000 Indians from foreign jails since 2014 is a testament to this diplomatic success.
