From Kanpur's Leather Trade To Migrant Workers: How Iran-Israel War Is Affecting UP

Last Updated:March 02, 2026, 14:20 IST

The Kanpur-Unnao leather cluster forms a big part of UP’s nearly Rs 200-billion leather industry, with almost half the production exported to US, Europe and Middle East

The Iran-Israel war has begun casting a shadow far beyond West Asia, with its impact now being felt in Uttar Pradesh. From anxiety in Kanpur’s leather export hub to families waiting for their loved ones stranded in Gulf countries, the war has triggered economic uncertainty and emotional distress across the state.

Kanpur’s leather industry, one of the largest export-driven sectors in Uttar Pradesh, is watching the situation closely amid fears of disruption in international trade.

Mukhtarul Amin, former chairman of the Council for Leather Exports and chairman and managing director of the Super House Group, said the sector was cautiously assessing the situation.

“The industry is monitoring the developments minutely since the war commenced. It is too early to assess the full impact," Amin said. “However, everybody knows that war makes its impact on all types of business and industry."

Popularly known as ‘Leather City’, Kanpur contributes significantly to India’s leather export market. The Kanpur–Unnao leather cluster forms a major part of Uttar Pradesh’s nearly Rs 200-billion leather industry, with almost half of its production exported to markets across the United States, Europe and the Middle East.

Industry representatives fear that a prolonged conflict could disrupt trade flows, particularly with Gulf countries that have emerged as a growing market for Kanpur’s leather products.

Asad Iraqi, chairman of the Regional Leather Export Council, said exports to Gulf countries account for nearly five per cent of India’s total leather exports from the region. “If the war stretches, the industry will suffer," Iraqi said, adding that the situation could take a more serious turn if European countries get involved in the conflict.

Beyond trade concerns, the conflict has also left several people from Uttar Pradesh stranded in West Asian countries after international flights were cancelled or disrupted.

In Amroha, Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Praveen Poniya is reportedly stuck in Oman along with his family. In Israel, a young man from Siddharthnagar sent a video to his family describing life inside a bunker.

“We are staying inside a bunker along with people from several countries, including 12 Indians. Sirens keep going off and we rush to the bunker every time," he said in the video. “Every explosion makes the heart beat faster. Now only Lord Ram can save us."

Families in several districts are anxiously waiting for their relatives to return safely. Three residents of Hathras are reportedly stranded in Dubai, while nine people from Barabanki remain stuck in Qom in Iran.

In another case, Vikas Yadav from Jaunpur, who works as an electrician at a construction site near Tel Aviv, said his morning began not with an alarm clock but with emergency sirens. “As soon as the siren goes off, we have to rush to a safe house to protect ourselves from bombings," he told his family.

Concerned over the situation, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has issued 24-hour helpline numbers to assist Indian nationals in Israel. Authorities have also activated support mechanisms for migrant workers in the region.

The Uttar Pradesh government has said it is closely monitoring the safety of workers from the state currently employed in Israel. Labour minister Anil Rajbhar said the government remains committed to ensuring their safety.

According to officials, around 6,004 construction workers from Uttar Pradesh are currently working in Israel. They were selected in 2024 through the National Skill Development Corporation in coordination with Israel’s Population Immigration and Border Authority.

Meanwhile, anxiety has also gripped families of travellers whose flights were cancelled due to the escalating conflict. In Meerut, newly married Raja Saluja and his wife Sneha remain stranded in Dubai after their return flight to India was cancelled.

Raja’s mother Rajinder Saluja said the couple had travelled to Dubai on February 21 to celebrate their first wedding anniversary after their marriage in January 2025.

“They were supposed to return on February 28, but their flight was cancelled. They were asked to get down from the plane while their luggage had already been loaded," she said, breaking down. “We are very scared. The government should bring our children back safely."

Amid rising anxiety, protests have also been reported in parts of the state where families and social organisations have gathered to demand the safe evacuation of Indians stranded in conflict-hit regions. Demonstrators urged the central government to initiate evacuation measures similar to past rescue missions carried out during crises in West Asia.

Amid growing anxiety, protests were held in Lucknow and Barabanki where families and local residents demanded that the government ensure the safe return of Indians stuck in the conflict-hit region.

In Lucknow, people gathered outside public spaces carrying placards and raising slogans urging the central government to arrange evacuation flights. Similar protests were held in Barabanki, where relatives of workers currently in Israel and Iran appealed to authorities for urgent assistance.

Family members said they were living in constant fear as communication with their relatives had become irregular due to the tense situation and internet disruptions in some areas.

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