The Embassy of India in Doha has issued a fresh advisory urging Indian nationals in Qatar to strictly follow safety instructions amid escalating Gulf tensions. Citizens have been advised to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary movement, stay away from windows and balconies, and rely only on official updates. The mission has added an additional 24x7 helpline and confirmed temporary suspension of flight operations at Hamad International Airport following Qatari airspace closure. Qatar Airways will issue its next update at 0900 hrs (Doha time) on March 6. Meanwhile, Kuwait announced automatic one-month visit visa extensions and three-month absence permits for residents abroad under exceptional circumstances, with full fee exemptions.

India on Thursday offered condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian embassy and signed the book of condolence. Khamenei, 86, was killed in joint US and Israeli strikes in Iran earlier this week. His death was first announced by US President Donald Trump. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. He shared the update in a post on X. India had earlier not issued a statement on Khamenei’s death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for an early end to hostilities. (PC: India Today)

England captain Harry Brook won the toss and chose to bowl against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday. The match is being played at the Wankhede Stadium.   India captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team was comfortable batting first despite losing the toss. “We were looking to bat first anyway,” he said at the toss.   India come into the match after beating West Indies in a key Super 8 game. Sanju Samson scored 97 in that win. England also arrive in strong form after winning their last five matches.   The winner of the semi-final will face New Zealand in the final on Sunday. (PC: BCCI)

India conveyed condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei amid escalating regional tensions. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi and signed the condolence book to express sympathy on behalf of the Indian government. He also met Iran’s ambassador and conveyed condolences to the Iranian leadership and citizens. The gesture reflects India’s diplomatic outreach to Tehran during a period of heightened conflict in West Asia involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The development highlights India’s careful diplomatic approach as tensions continue to escalate across the region.

A United States submarine sank an Iranian naval warship near Sri Lanka amid rising tensions in the Iran-US conflict. The ship, returning from naval exercises in the Indian Ocean, reportedly had dozens of sailors on board, with many feared dead and several rescued. The incident has drawn attention to India because the vessel had recently operated near Indian waters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi now faces growing diplomatic pressure to clarify India’s position as New Delhi maintains ties with both Washington and Tehran. The situation highlights India’s delicate balancing act in foreign policy while tensions in the Middle East and surrounding regions continue to escalate. (PC: AFP)

Iran condemned the US submarine attack that sank its naval frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, calling it an attack on a “guest of India”.   Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the ship was returning from naval exercises in India when it was struck.   “The US has perpetrated an atrocity at sea… Frigate Dena, a guest of India’s Navy, was struck in international waters without warning,” he wrote on X.   The attack killed 87 Iranian sailors. More than 60 remain missing.   Thirty-two survivors are being treated in a hospital in Galle, Sri Lanka.   The United States said the strike was part of its campaign against Iranian naval forces. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said military conflict cannot solve any issue as fighting between the US and Iran spreads across West Asia.   Speaking at a joint press conference with Alexander Stubb in New Delhi, Modi said India supports dialogue and diplomacy.   “India and Finland believe in rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy. Only military conflict cannot solve any issue, whether it is Ukraine or West Asia,” he said.   The region has seen heavy missile and drone attacks after US-Israel strikes on Iran killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei last week.   An Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, was also hit off Sri Lanka, killing several sailors.

Actor Sonu Sood has offered free accommodation to travellers stranded in Dubai amid disruptions linked to the US–Iran Conflict. Flights were cancelled after rising tensions in the Middle East, leaving many passengers unable to return home. In a video message on Instagram, Sood asked affected travellers to contact him or Dugasta Properties for help. “Anyone who’s stranded in Dubai because of the ongoing crisis… we will make sure you get free-of-cost accommodation,” he said. Sood added the offer is open to people of any nationality. The actor earlier helped migrant workers travel home during the COVID-19 lockdown in India. (PC: HT)

India has rejected as “fake and false” claims that the United States is using Indian ports or naval bases to conduct strikes against Iran. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a fact-check statement after former US Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor, speaking on One America News Network, alleged that American forces were relying on Indian facilities. The MEA cautioned against “baseless and fabricated comments.” The denial comes amid escalating US-Israel-Iran hostilities, including missile exchanges and the sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean. India has expressed deep concern over the conflict, urging restraint, de-escalation and prioritisation of civilian safety as casualties mount.

At least 37 Indian-flagged ships carrying 1,109 seafarers are stranded around the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating US-Israel-Iran tensions. The Indian National Shipowners’ Association confirmed the vessels are positioned across the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, with some awaiting cargo and others fully laden, and urged government intervention to secure safe passage. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced closure of the strait and threatened action against vessels attempting transit, sharply reducing maritime traffic. Nearly 46 per cent of India’s crude imports pass through Hormuz, and about a fifth of total imports could face disruption. Prolonged instability risks higher freight, insurance costs, inflation and supply chain pressures. (PC: X)