During a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government is closely monitoring the evolving situation and has taken several steps to support Indian citizens currently in Iran
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Pic/PTI
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said India is actively working to assist its nationals stranded in Iran while simultaneously addressing concerns related to maritime safety and the country’s energy security amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, reported news agency IANS.
During a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government is closely monitoring the evolving situation and has taken several steps to support Indian citizens currently in Iran.
Several Indian nationals return home amid tensions
Jaiswal said India has around 9,000 citizens currently residing in Iran, including students, seafarers, professionals, businesspeople and pilgrims.
Following earlier advisories issued by Indian authorities, several Indian nationals—particularly students—have already returned to India. The government is continuing to facilitate the safe relocation and evacuation of others who wish to leave the country, reported IANS.
“We have around 9,000 Indian nationals in Iran. Following advisories issued earlier, several Indian nationals, especially students, have already returned home,” Jaiswal said, reported IANS.
He also informed that several Indians based in Tehran, including students and pilgrims, have been shifted to safer locations and cities within Iran as a precautionary measure.
Assistance being provided for evacuation through neighbouring countries
The MEA said it is also assisting Indian nationals who wish to leave Iran through land routes by helping them travel to neighbouring countries such as Azerbaijan and Armenia, reported IANS.
According to Jaiswal, Indian missions are helping citizens with visa arrangements and border crossing procedures so they can travel to these countries and then board commercial flights back to India.
“We are assisting Indian nationals who wish to travel to Azerbaijan and Armenia, and from there to take commercial flights to return home,” he said, reported IANS.
The MEA also urged Indian citizens planning to leave Iran via land borders to strictly follow the advisory issued by the Embassy of India, Tehran on March 9.
Government monitoring safety of shipping and energy supply
Responding to questions about the security of maritime routes, Jaiswal said the government is also closely monitoring the movement of vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit corridors, reported IANS.
He revealed that India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held multiple conversations in recent days with Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
“The External Affairs Minister and the Foreign Minister of Iran have had three conversations in recent days. In the last one, they discussed issues pertaining to the safety of shipping and India’s energy security,” Jaiswal said, reported IANS.
Diplomatic engagement continues amid regional conflict
Earlier this week, Jaishankar held a detailed telephone conversation with Araghchi regarding the latest developments in the West Asia conflict.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said the two leaders agreed to remain in touch as the situation continues to evolve.
The ministers had also spoken earlier on March 5 and February 28, discussing the rapidly changing security environment in the region and India’s concerns over escalating tensions.
Officials said the series of diplomatic engagements reflects India’s proactive approach to safeguarding its citizens abroad while ensuring that critical energy supplies and maritime trade routes remain secure during the ongoing geopolitical crisis involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
(With inputs from IANS)
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