NEW DELHI: A total of 7,890 Indian prisoners, including under-trials, were in foreign jails over local offences as of Feb 28, including 409 in Malaysian prisons.

The Ministry of External Affairs told parliament on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia has 1,570 - the largest number - followed by 1,292 in the United Arab Emirates, 886 in Nepal, 439 in Qatar, 157 in China, and 71 in Singapore.

Apart from extending jailed Indian nationals' consular assistance, Indian diplomatic missions also help them in legal aid wherever needed, the ministry said.

It said India is engaged in "a regular process of consultation and coordination with countries concerned on the issue of repatriation of Indian nationals in foreign prisons."

-- BERNAMA