Jaishankar, State Department Confirm Thousands Of Indians And Americans Evacuated From Middle East

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC/NEW DELHI – India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha on March 9 that 67,000 Indian nationals have returned from conflict-affected countries in the Middle East as of March 8. Speaking in the Upper House, Jaishankar stated that the government has been facilitating these returns during brief openings in regional airspace through approved commercial and non-scheduled flights. He highlighted specific efforts by the Indian Embassy in Tehran to assist students and other nationals, noting that some individuals traveling for business were assisted in leaving Iran via neighboring Armenia.

The minister confirmed that multiple security advisories were issued as the situation deteriorated and that Prime Minister Modi has been in direct contact with the heads of state of the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Israel, and Bahrain to urge an easing of tensions. India has received positive assurances from these leaders regarding the safety of the Indian community, while maintaining regular diplomatic contact with the United States.

Simultaneously, the US State Department reported on March 7 that more than 28,000 American citizens have safely returned to the United States from the Middle East since late February. Assistant Secretary of State Dylan Johnson noted that these large-scale evacuation efforts involved coordinated flights, ground transport, and emergency assistance, though the figure does not include those currently in transit or those who moved to other countries within the region.

The US government has completed more than a dozen charter flights and utilized a 24/7 Task Force to directly assist over 16,000 Americans with security guidance. US citizens remaining in Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel who require help are being directed to complete a Crisis Intake Form or contact the State Department’s emergency line. Both nations have emphasized that assistance efforts will continue as long as their citizens remain in need of evacuation from the unstable region. (IANS)