NEW DELHI: The number of Indian nationals facing the death penalty in the UAE, with sentences yet to be implemented, stands at 25, the central government informed Parliament on Thursday.
Minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh provided this information in a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha.
“As per the information available with the ministry, the number of Indian prisoners, including undertrials, in foreign prisons at present is 10,152,” Singh said.
The query also sought details of Indians awaiting capital punishment abroad and the efforts made by the Indian government to assist them.
“The government attaches high priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals in foreign countries, including those in foreign jails,” Singh said.
The minister shared data for eight countries where Indians have been sentenced to death but are yet to be executed. According to the figures, 25 are in the UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia, three in Kuwait, and one each in Indonesia, Qatar, the US, and Yemen.
“Indian Missions/Posts abroad provide all possible assistance to Indian nationals who have been sentenced, including with death sentences by the foreign courts. Indian Missions/Posts also provide consular access by visiting the jails and follow up their cases with Courts, Jails, Public Prosecutors and other concerned agencies. The jailed Indian nationals are also assisted in exploring various legal remedies including filing of appeal, mercy petition etc,” the minister said.
Singh was also asked whether any Indian nationals had been executed abroad in the past five years. He confirmed executions took place in Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
In 2024, three Indians were executed in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, while one was executed in Zimbabwe. In 2023, five Indians were executed each in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and one in Malaysia.
Regarding the UAE, Singh also added that authorities do not share such data.
However, as per informal information available with the Indian Mission, no Indians have been executed between 2020 and 2024.
