On 1 March 2026 , the MEA issued an advisory urging all foreign nationals in India whose travel plans were disrupted by the escalating Iran‑Israel conflict and subsequent airspace restrictions to approach the nearest FRRO for a visa extension or regularisation of stay. Key Developments The advisory was prompted by massive flight cancellations across the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran. Air India announced the cancellation of 22 additional international services on 1 March, raising the total to 50 overseas flight cancellations linked to the crisis. The Civil Aviation Ministry projected that Indian carriers would cancel 444 international flights on the same day due to the restrictions. The MEA clarified that FRROs will provide assistance, though the exact number of stranded foreign tourists remains unknown. Important Facts • The trigger for the disruption was the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the joint US‑Israel strike, as confirmed by Iranian state media. • Flight disruptions are not limited to the Middle East; several airlines operating to and from India have been forced to suspend services. • The advisory specifically targets foreign nationals who need to extend their visa or regularise their stay, ensuring compliance with Indian immigration law. UPSC Relevance • MEA actions illustrate how India’s diplomatic machinery responds to external security shocks, a frequent topic in GS2 (Polity) and GS3 (International Relations). • The role of FRRO underscores the implementation of the Foreigners Act, 1946, relevant for questions on immigration and citizenship. • The large‑scale cancellation of flights highlights the impact of geopolitical tensions on India’s civil aviation sector, linking to GS3 (Economy) and GS4 (Security) themes such as trade disruption and national security. Way Forward Foreign nationals should promptly contact the nearest FRRO with required documents to obtain a visa extension and avoid illegal stay. The government may consider temporary relaxation of visa norms for stranded tourists, balancing humanitarian concerns with security imperatives. Monitoring of airspace restrictions and diplomatic engagement with affected countries will be crucial to restore normal flight operations. Students should track subsequent MEA advisories and Civil Aviation Ministry notifications for updates on policy adjustments.