No evacuation process going on now, says MEA amid Iran-Israel tensions

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal

The External Affairs Ministry on Friday once again called for “dialogue and diplomacy” amid tensions in the West Asian region. Addressing a press conference, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it is important that this particular conflict does not take a widener regional dimension.

“We had also issued a statement few days back expressing our deep concerns over what's happening in the (West Asia) region. We had said that the escalation of violence is a matter of deep concern for us, and we had reiterated our call for restraint by all concerned,” he said.

He further added, “It is also important that this particular conflict does not take a widener regional dimension and we urge that all issues be addressed through dialogue and discussion.”

On being asked about repatriation, Jaiswal said that there are flights running from Iran, Israel as well as other countries so people who have the option if they want to leave. “Several families have reached out to us and to our embassies, but at this point, we don't have any evacuation process going on,” he said.

Earlier on October 2, India had expressed deep concern over the escalation of the security situation in West Asia and said the conflict must not take a wider regional dimension even as it advised its nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran.

India’s comments came a day after Iran fired around 200 missiles into Israel in response to Israel’s killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and other commanders of the militant outfit.

“We are deeply concerned at the escalation of security situation in West Asia and reiterate our call for restraint by all concerned and protection of civilians,” an official statement by Ministry of External Affairs read.

Following the Iranian action, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran will “pay” for it. As tension spiked in view of Iran-Israel hostilities, India advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran.

In an advisory, the MEA also urged the Indian nationals residing in Iran to remain vigilant and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran.

According to official count, there are around 3,000 Indians in Lebanon, most of who are in Beirut. In Iran, there are about 10,000 Indians – half of them are students and over 30,000 Indians are residing in Israel largely caregivers and workers.