'India in touch with authorities for locating them': MEA on three Indians missing in Iran

The three people who went missing are reported to be from Punjab. (Image: X)

India is in touch with Iranian authorities for locating three Indian nationals who went missing in Iran and we are receiving good cooperation from their side, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday.

While addressing a media briefing on Thursday, Jaiswal said that they are extending all possible help to the family members of the three persons who are missing, ANI reported.

When asked about three Indians who went missing in Iran and whether the Indian Government is aware that incidents like these have been happening for the last few months and people have been receiving ransom calls from Pakistan, he responded, "You would have seen a statement made by our embassy as well in Iran. The three Indian nationals who had landed there some time back are missing, and we are in touch with the Iranian authorities to locate them for their safety and security and eventual return home."

"We are in daily touch with the authorities there. We are receiving good cooperation from the Iranian side. And we are also in touch with the families. Obviously, family members in such situations have their own anxiety, etc. So, we are extending all possible help. Hopefully, we'll be able to do our best in this situation," he added.

When asked further, he said, "February was a different issue. What we are talking about are three Indian nationals who went to Iran recently in May."

Three Indians--identified as Hushanpreet Singh (Sangrur), Jaspal Singh (SBS Nagar) and Amritpal Singh (Hoshiarpur) -- went missing soon after landing in Tehran on May 1.

As per media reports, an agent in Punjab had promised to send them to Australia via the Dubai-Iran route. He reportedly assured them that they would be provided a stay in Iran.

But soon after they landed in Iran on May 1, they were reportedly kidnapped. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore, according to the victims' families.

Kidnappers threatened to kill the men if money was not sent, the relatives said.

The grieving families approached the Embassy of India to report their kidnapping and request that it ensure their safe return.

"The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities, and requested that the missing Indians should be urgently traced and their safety should be ensured," the Indian Embassy said in a statement.

The Embassy added that it is "keeping the family members regularly updated" of the efforts being made by it.

Iran responds

Iran on Thursday said that the case of three Indian nationals, who have gone missing in Tehran, is being followed up by its foreign ministry in coordination with the relevant judicial authorities, and New Delhi is being kept informed about all developments in the matter.

The case concerning the disappearance of three Indian nationals is being followed up by the Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran in coordination with the relevant judicial authorities. The Embassy of the Republic of India https://t.co/Gs7elOjejL
Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) May 29, 2025

"The case concerning the disappearance of three Indian nationals is being followed up by the Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran in coordination with the relevant judicial authorities. The Embassy of the Republic of India in Tehran is also being kept informed of the proceedings within the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran through coordination with the Consular Affairs Department," the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi said in a post on X.

Iran also urged Indians to apply caution while travelling to other countries and not fall prey to illegal agencies.

"Given the nature of this incident, Indian citizens are strongly advised not to be deceived by the promises of unauthorised individuals or illegal Indian agencies offering travel to other countries," it added.

(With inputs from ANI)