India, March 20 -- More than 10,000 Indians are currently lodged in various foreign prisons and 49 of them on death row, the government told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The maximum, 2,633, were imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, closely followed by 2,518 in the United Arab Emirates.

"The government attaches high priority to the safety, security, and well-being of Indian nationals in foreign countries, including those in foreign jails. Indian missions/posts abroad remain vigilant and closely monitor the incidents of Indian nationals being put in jail in foreign countries for violation or alleged violation of local laws," minister of state in the external affairs ministry Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written response to a question by the minist...