India Moves Promptly to Bring Home Citizens Stranded in Middle East: Rijiju
Centre coordinates rescue efforts as thousands of students and travellers remain stranded across West Asia
New Delhi, Mar 2: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said the Centre is acting swiftly to ensure the safe return of Indian nationals caught in the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Addressing reporters, Rijiju stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government responds promptly during crises to assist citizens overseas. He noted that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), through Indian missions abroad, is overseeing coordinated rescue and support operations.
The region has been thrown into instability following joint US-Israel missile strikes on Iran that reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering retaliatory attacks and widespread disruption. Airspace closures and airport shutdowns have severely impacted travel across West Asia.
Nearly 3,000 Indian students, including around 2,000 from Jammu and Kashmir, remain in Iran. A student association from the Union Territory has written to the Prime Minister urging immediate evacuation measures.
In the United Arab Emirates, more than 700 individuals from Madhya Pradesh including former MLA and BJP leader Sanjay Shukla are stranded in Dubai and Sharjah after flight cancellations. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait has stepped in to assist citizens affected by temporary airspace restrictions there.
The MEA has issued advisories urging Indians in Iran, Israel and Gulf nations to remain vigilant. Indian embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv have activated round the clock helplines and are working closely with local authorities to facilitate safe movement and possible evacuation plans.
