India Confirms No Evacuation Process for Citizens Amid Middle East Tensions

New Delhi, 5th October 2024: Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, India announced on Friday that it has not yet begun an evacuation process to bring back its citizens from Israel, Iran, and surrounding areas. During a weekly briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), confirmed that flight services remain operational for those wishing to return to India.

Jaiswal elaborated on India’s position regarding the current unrest, stating, “We issued a statement a few days ago expressing our deep concern. The violence and situation are troubling for us. We reiterated the need for restraint from all parties and emphasized the protection of civilians.” He highlighted the necessity of preventing the conflict from escalating into a larger regional crisis.

Clarifying the situation, Jaiswal noted that flights are still available from Israel, Iran, and other nations, offering individuals the choice to leave if they wish. Although families have contacted the Indian government and its embassies, there is no evacuation process currently underway. “In our view, it’s crucial that this conflict does not expand regionally. For now, flights from Israel, Iran, and other countries are operational, allowing people the option to depart if they choose. Families have reached out to us and our embassies, but at this time, we do not have an evacuation process in place,” he added.

Regarding the Indian population in various Middle Eastern countries, Jaiswal shared the following statistics: around 3,000 Indians reside in Lebanon, primarily in Beirut; approximately 30,000, mostly caregivers and labourers, are living in Israel; and about 10,000 individuals, including 5,000 students, are currently in Iran.