NI Bureau
Indian Citizens : India has issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to refrain from traveling to Iran or Israel due to escalating tensions between the two nations following an attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, 11 days prior. Iran has accused Israel of carrying out the attack, raising concerns of potential retaliatory actions by Iran against Israel.
The Ministry of External Affairs has cautioned Indian nationals residing in Iran and Israel to exercise extreme vigilance for their safety and restrict their activities to essential tasks only. The advisory states, “In light of the current situation in the region, all Indian citizens are advised against traveling to Iran or Israel until further notice.”
Indian citizens currently residing in Iran or Israel are advised to contact the Indian Embassy in the respective country and register themselves, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
The advisory is prompted by mounting tensions following the recent attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria, for which Iran has blamed Israel. There is apprehension that Tehran may take retaliatory measures against Israel.
Approximately 18,000 Indian nationals are residing in Israel, primarily engaged in caregiving and professional roles such as information technology. Meanwhile, Iran hosts around 4,000 Indian nationals, including small business owners and academics.
India recently expressed concern over an airstrike targeting a building within the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus, which resulted in casualties including Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, condemned the attack as a breach of international obligations and conventions.
Aniket Sardhana
