India confirms 25 nationals sentenced to death in UAE, executions awaited

The Indian government has confirmed that 25 Indian citizens have been sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but their executions have not yet been carried out. This information was shared by Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha on March 20.

He emphasized that the government is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of Indian citizens living abroad, including those in foreign prisons. Singh also provided details on Indians facing death sentences in different countries. According to the data, apart from the 25 in the UAE, there are 11 in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia, three in Kuwait, and one each in Indonesia, Qatar, the United States, and Yemen.

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Singh further revealed that as of now, 10,152 Indian nationals are imprisoned in foreign countries, including those who are still on trial. He assured that Indian embassies and consulates worldwide are actively assisting these individuals in every possible way. They provide legal help, ensure consular access, and follow up on their cases with courts, prison authorities, and legal representatives. The embassies also support jailed Indians in filing appeals and mercy petitions if needed.

When asked about executions of Indian nationals abroad in the past five years, Singh provided specific figures. He stated that executions have taken place in Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

In 2024, three Indian nationals were executed in Kuwait and three in Saudi Arabia, while one was executed in Zimbabwe. In 2023, both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia carried out five executions each, while Malaysia executed one Indian citizen.

However, Singh clarified that the UAE does not officially share execution-related data. Based on informal information gathered by the Indian Mission, there have been no executions of Indian nationals in the UAE between 2020 and 2024.

The government has assured that it will continue to monitor these cases and provide all possible assistance to Indians facing legal troubles abroad.