Some Indian students disregarded advisory to leave Iran, says Jaishankar on West Asia crisis

Opposition walked out of Rajya Sabha as EAM Jaishankar spoke on West Asia conflict.

• Nearly one crore Indians live and work across Gulf nations.
• India urges citizens in Iran to leave over security concerns.
• Cabinet Committee on Security actively engaged with the crisis.

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said nearly one crore Indians live and work across Gulf nations, while several thousands are present in Iran for studies and employment.

However, he said many students have "disregarded" India's advisory and stayed back in Iran.

"Every effort is being made to bring back Indians stuck in West Asia. Contacts with Iran at the leadership level are obviously difficult at this time.  I have spoken to Iranian Foreign Minister," he said while addressing the Rajya Sabha.

India earlier advised all its nationals residing in Iran to leave the country by all available means of transport, including commercial flights, in view of the evolving security situation.

Jaishankar warned that the West Asia situation has significant implications for India. He said India has clear stakes in maintaining stability in the region as it is a neighbouring area and a key partner in trade and energy supplies.

The briefing comes in the wake of the war, which erupted on February 28 after joint US-Israeli strikes targeted Iran, resulting in the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several core members of the ruling group. The situation has since escalated, with fresh attacks reported over the weekend on oil depots and water desalination plants.

Jaishankar noted that the government had pre-emptively voiced its apprehensions regarding the regional volatility. He also said the Iranian side had sought permission for three ships in the region to dock at Indian ports, and New Delhi approved the request shortly thereafter.

“The Iranian side had requested permission on February 28 for three ships in the region to dock at our ports. This was accorded on March 1. IRIS Lavan actually docked on March 4,” Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar informed the House that the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been actively engaged with the crisis. He stated the committee was concerned about the "regional conflict and the difficulties faced by Indians in the region and Indian travellers."

In response to the growing threat, Jaishankar confirmed that "all ministers were directed to take appropriate measures to tackle this issue".

He further observed that the geopolitical environment has significantly deteriorated, noting that "the situation has further worsened in the region and has spread to other nations."