New Delhi: As the central government has stepped up efforts to help its citizens amid the escalating conflict in West Asia, over 550 Indian nationals have been evacuated from Iran via Armenia.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday thanked the government and people of Armenia for facilitating the land-border movement.
“Thank you to the government and people of Armenia for facilitating the safe evacuation of over 550 Indian nationals from Iran so far. Your support is appreciated in these challenging times,” Jaishankar posted on social media.
According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the Indian Embassy in Tehran coordinated the evacuation. It assisted the citizens with visa and immigration formalities at the land borders. Besides those who went to Armenia, around 90 Indian nationals have entered Azerbaijan from Iran with the support of the embassy.
Of the 550 Indians who went to Armenia, 284 are pilgrims who had travelled to Iran for religious purposes. While some of them have already returned to India, others are expected to return by flight in the coming days, Jaiswal said.
Despite the difficult situation, the Indian Embassy in Tehran is fully functional and has helped evacuate Indian students from areas outside the capital to safer cities in Iran, the spokesperson said.
The MEA had earlier said that around 9,000 Indian nationals, including students, sailors, businessmen, professionals and pilgrims, are currently in Iran. New Delhi is advising those who want to leave the country to travel to Armenia or Azerbaijan to facilitate their onward journey to India.
Meanwhile, a senior external affairs ministry official said that around 20,000 passengers from Gulf countries have returned to India despite the ongoing disruptions in West Asia.
Flights from several countries in the region are continuing to operate despite airspace restrictions in some areas, MEA Joint Secretary (Gulf) Asim Mahajan said.