Oman's concern over the radicalisation of Indian Muslim youths working in the Gulf nation has alarmed intelligence agencies, and prompted the Indian government to keep a watch on them.

During the recent visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Oman, the threat posed by the terror group Islamic State (IS) was discussed and the Oman government told Swaraj their fears about a highly radicalised group from India that is working in the country.

“They expressed concerns about a high number of youth from South India who are highly radicalised and seem to be attracted to the IS ideology,” said a government official.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Oman’s foreign minister Yousuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah in New Delhi last year

With nearly 5.98 lakh Indians working in Oman, with 80 per cent being from South India, the authorities in the Gulf nation want the dangerous trend to be curbed.

The number fell down recently from over six lakh as the Oman government put a cap on expatriates working in the private sector. Nearly 60 per cent of the Indians there are working as skilled and unskilled labour, but it also includes traders and professionals.

The Ministry of External Affairs has informed the home ministry about the anguish of the Oman government. Sources say intelligence agencies have been alerted about the inputs that have been shared by the authorities in Oman.

Intelligence agencies are drawing up a list of several youths who are working in Oman and other Gulf countries and are making efforts to track their activities.

“With the IS trying to spread its wings and attracting people from across the globe, it is essential to keep a watch on vulnerable Indian youth working in the Middle East and other foreign countries,” said an official.

Sources say with international support pouring in for the group, it is crucial to track the activities of those who are attracted to IS ideology. There is tremendous support for the group on social media, and intelligence agencies are constantly scrutinising cyberspace to identify such elements.

According to a recent assessment made by Indian agencies, more than 3000 people from Saudi Arabia have joined the Sunni terror outfit that is trying to set up a Caliphate in Iraq and Syria.