Kolkata: The government on June 19 announced its decision to evacuate Indians stranded in Israel amid its ongoing war with Iran. Notably, the announcement comes a day after the Centre launched ‘Operation Sindhu’ to evacuate Indian citizens from Iran.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has released a press statement that states that the government would evacuate stranded Indians looking to leave Israel under ‘Operation Sindhu’. It said they will travel to India from Israel through the land borders and thereafter by air.
The MEA statement said, “In view of the recent developments between Israel and Iran, the Government of India has decided to evacuate from Israel those Indian nationals who wish to leave. Their travel from Israel to India will be facilitated through the land borders and thereafter by air to India.” The arrangements for the evacuation will be made by the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv.
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The statement read, “All Indian nationals are requested to register themselves with the Embassy of India in Tel Aviv at (https://www.indembassyisrael.gov.in/indian_national_reg), if not already registered. In case of any queries, they may contact the 24/7 Control Room established at Embassy of India, Tel Aviv: telephone numbers: +972 54-7520711; +972 54-3278392; email: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in.”
It urged Indians to remain vigilant and strictly follow the safety guidelines that the Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command have issued. The statement added, “The Government of India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely. The Embassy remains continuously in touch with the community with a view to extending all feasible assistance.”
On June 19, more than 100 Indian nationals, including 90 students from Jammu and Kashmir, returned from Iran to India. The students who were stuck in Iran were first brought to Armenia by air, then to Doha, and finally, they landed in Delhi. While speaking with PTI, one of the students, Varta, said, “We were terrified. We thank the Indian government and the Indian embassy who worked very fast and swiftly to bring us here. When the Indian government came to our doorstep, it felt like home.” Also, she acknowledged the support provided by the Armenian authorities.
