NEW DELHI: Since the inception of the conflict in West Asia on February 28, after US-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, around 7,88,000 passengers have travelled to India from the region as hostilities escalated, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said flights continue from countries where airspace remains open, but services have been affected due to restrictions and closures over parts of the region, adding that due to restrictions in Israel, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain, Indian missions are facilitating alternate transit routes.
He stated that Indians from Iran are being assisted to travel via Armenia and Azerbaijan, while nationals in Israel and Iraq are being evacuated through Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia before flying to India.
“Flights continue to operate from the region to India from countries where airspace is open. Since February 28th, around 7,88,000 passengers have travelled from the region to India. Due to flight restrictions and airspace closure in Israel, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain, we continue to facilitate the movement of Indian nationals from Iran through Armenia and Azerbaijan to India; from Israel through Jordan and Egypt to India; from Iraq through Jordan and Saudi Arabia to India; and from Kuwait and Bahrain through Saudi Arabia to India,” the MEA spokesperson stated.
Jaiswal also urged Indian nationals in Iran where an estimated 7,500 Indians remain to exit the country quickly in coordination with the Embassy and follow advised transit routes.
According to Jaiswal, as of yesterday, the Embassy facilitated the exit of 1,864 Indian nationals through land borders with Armenia and Azerbaijan, including students and fishermen.
“We are urging Indian nationals who are there in Iran to expeditiously exit the country in coordination with the embassy and as per the route advised by our embassy. We are given to understand that we have around 7,500 Indian nationals who continue to remain in Iran and therefore this particular advisory was issued for them to take advantage of the present situation. As of yesterday, our embassy facilitated 1,864 Indian nationals to exit Iran through the land border with Armenia and Azerbaijan. This includes 935 Indian students and 472 Indian fishermen,” he stated.
Emphasizing the Government’s priority to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian citizens in the Gulf and West Asia, the spokesperson underscored the role of a dedicated MEA Special Control Room that operates round the clock to assist stranded nationals, maintain contact with state governments, and liaise with communities and businesses across the region.
