India has evacuated more than 550 of its citizens from Iran through neighboring Armenia, as tensions continue to escalate in West Asia.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, on Monday thanked the government and people of Armenia for facilitating the safe land-border transit of Indian nationals. Jaishankar, who is currently on a visit to Brussels, expressed appreciation for Armenia’s support during the evacuation efforts.
“Thank the Government and the people of Armenia for facilitating the safe evacuation of over 550 Indian nationals from Iran so far. Appreciate their support in these challenging times,” Jaishankar said in a message posted on social media.
The Ministry of External Affairs has been urging Indian nationals stranded in Iran to cross into Armenia so they can be brought back to India safely, amid the worsening security situation in the region.
According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, around 9,000 Indian citizens are currently residing in Iran. The Indian government is assisting those willing to travel to Armenia or Azerbaijan for onward evacuation to India.
Jaiswal said the Indian community in Iran mainly includes students, seafarers, businesspersons, professionals and pilgrims.
Earlier, Indian authorities relocated several citizens, including students and pilgrims, from Tehran to safer locations within Iran as part of precautionary measures while evacuation arrangements were being coordinated.
The evacuation process is continuing as the government monitors the evolving situation in the West Asian region.
