Gulf remittances rose in April despite West Asia crisis: Ministry

1 JULY 2026

Despite the West Asia crisis, net remittances from the region to India rose to $16 billion in April 2026, the second month of the conflict, up 70% over the corresponding period of last year, show data presented by the Union Finance Ministry in its latest report.
The Monthly Economic Review by the Department of Economic Affairs said that this resilience of remittance inflows is consistent with what happened during previous crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Contrary to concerns that geopolitical tensions in the West Asia region could adversely affect remittance inflows from the Gulf economies, transfer receipts have remained robust,” the report said.
“Unlike portfolio flows, debt flows or foreign direct investment, remittance inflows are relatively acyclical,” the report added.
Migrants in other countries front-load precautionary transfers back home during periods of uncertainty and stress.
“The principal risk to remittance inflows, however, arises from a sustained deterioration in labour market conditions in host economies that affects migrant employment and earnings,” the report said.