India, March 19 -- The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has disrupted international travel as well as medical tourism, causing a sharp decline in overseas patient arrivals at leading hospitals in Pune over the past two weeks, not to mention a near halt in fresh inquiries from foreign patients along with a noticeable rise in cancellations, particularly for elective procedures; officials said.

According to hospital officials, the current geopolitical situation and the resultant airspace closures, flight suspensions and rising airfares have created major hurdles for patients planning to travel to India for treatment.

According to hospital administrators, African countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Liber...