New Delhi, March 8 -- More than 52,000 Indians stranded in West Asia have returned on commercial flights during March 1-7 and more flights are planned in the coming days, the external affairs ministry said on Saturday against the backdrop of escalating tensions over the Iran-US conflict. India has repeatedly emphasised the safety of more than 10 million Indian nationals in West Asia. The government is monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, especially with regard to the welfare of Indian nationals who have been stranded during transit or on short duration visits, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. Following the partial opening of airspace across West Asia in the past few days, Indian and foreign airlines are operating commercial flights, including non-scheduled flights, to enable the return of Indian passengers in transit or on short-term visits, the statement said. "By now, more than 52,000 Indians have availed of these flights and travelled safely from the Gulf region to India between March 1-7," the statement said.htc...