New Delhi, Feb 28 : As largescale fighting erupted across the Middle East today, India issued urgent advisories for its nationals in relation to Israel, Iran and various other countries of the region including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The advisories, issued through the Embassies in these countries, cautioned Indians living there to restrict movements and follow instructions given out by the local authorities to be safe.
The Government of India also advised Indians to avoid unnecessary travel to these nations in view of the deteriorating situation.
Indian Embassies, respectively, have also activated emergency helplines in these countries and are monitoring developments round the clock.
Several countries of the Middle East plunged into a war-situation this morning after the US and Israel launched military air strikes at Iran, which hit back by firing missiles and drones at Israel as well as regional countries like Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Kuwait to target American military bases there.
The near-identical advisories issued by the Government of India have asked Indians in these nations to exercise “utmost caution”, avoid non-essential travel, steer clear of military installations and sensitive sites, and strictly adhere to safety protocols issued by host governments.
Indians have been advised to remain indoors where necessary and to keep emergency contact details readily accessible.
Embassy social media channels are being used to provide real-time updates, including changes to airspace restrictions and transport disruptions.
Indian missions are in close coordination with local authorities to ensure the safety and welfare of the diaspora.
Emergency Lines:
The Indian Embassies have established Helplines and dedicated email addresses to assist Indian nationals seeking guidance or support.
Consular teams have been placed on standby to respond to emergencies, including cases involving stranded travellers or those requiring urgent documentation.
The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated that Indian citizens should register with their nearest embassy if they have not already done so. This enables officials to establish contact quickly should evacuation or further security measures become necessary.
As of now, there has been no announcement regarding any plans to evacuate Indians from any of these countries.
