Dubai: The number of Indians living in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has surpassed nine million, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, informed Parliament on Friday.

According to Emirates News Agency, WAM, Singh stated that Indians are employed across a wide range of professions in the GCC. These professions span from highly qualified sectors such as fintech, healthcare, information technology, engineering, and banking to blue-collar jobs like cleaners, maids, electricians, and plumbers.

Singh revealed that within the GCC, the UAE is the most popular destination for Indian job seekers, with 3.55 million Indians residing there. Following the UAE is Saudi Arabia, which hosts 2.64 million Indians. Kuwait has one million Indians, while the rest of the GCC countries have Indian populations in the six figures.

In response to questions from members of the Lok Sabha, the lower House of Parliament, Singh also noted that India issued emigration clearance to 180,000 of its citizens until 30th June this year for employment in countries that require such clearance under Indian rules. This half-yearly figure is comparable to the 398,000 emigration clearances issued for the entire calendar year of 2023.

Emigration clearance from the government is necessary for Indians with educational qualifications below class 10. Additionally, certain professions, such as nursing, also require such clearance to take up jobs abroad.