New Delhi, April 8 (ANI): Since the onset of the conflict in West Asia on February 28, following US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, around 788,000 passengers have traveled to India from the region as hostilities escalated, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday.
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said flights continue from countries where airspace remains open, though services have been affected by restrictions and closures across parts of the region. He added that due to restrictions in Israel, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain, Indian missions are facilitating alternate transit routes.
He said Indians in Iran are being assisted to travel via Armenia and Azerbaijan, while nationals in Israel and Iraq are being evacuated through Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia before flying to India.
“Flights continue to operate from the region to India from countries where airspace is open. Since February 28, around 788,000 passengers have traveled from the region to India. Due to flight restrictions and airspace closures in Israel, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain, we continue to facilitate the movement of Indian nationals from Iran through Armenia and Azerbaijan to India; from Israel through Jordan and Egypt to India; from Iraq through Jordan and Saudi Arabia to India; and from Kuwait and Bahrain through Saudi Arabia to India,” the MEA spokesperson said.
Jaiswal also urged Indian nationals in Iran—where an estimated 7,500 Indians remain—to exit the country promptly in coordination with the Embassy and follow the advised transit routes.
According to Jaiswal, as of Tuesday, the Embassy facilitated the exit of 1,864 Indian nationals through land borders with Armenia and Azerbaijan, including students and fishermen.
“We are urging Indian nationals who are in Iran to expeditiously exit the country in coordination with the Embassy and as per the route advised. We understand that around 7,500 Indian nationals continue to remain in Iran, and this advisory was issued to help them take advantage of the current situation. As of yesterday, our Embassy facilitated 1,864 Indian nationals to exit Iran through land borders with Armenia and Azerbaijan. This includes 935 Indian students and 472 Indian fishermen,” he said.
Emphasizing the government’s priority to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian citizens in the Gulf and West Asia, the spokesperson highlighted the role of a dedicated MEA Special Control Room that operates round the clock to assist stranded nationals, maintain contact with state governments, and liaise with communities and businesses across the region.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump suspended the “bombing and attack” campaign on Iran, announcing a two-week bilateral ceasefire and stating that a 10-point proposal from Iran was workable.
In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said the proposal would serve as the basis for negotiating a permanent deal while reiterating that the United States had achieved most of its military objectives.
“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan, who requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double-sided ceasefire!” Trump said.
“The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all military objectives and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran and peace in the Middle East. We received a 10-point proposal from Iran and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate,” he added.
Trump said Iran has agreed to almost all points of past contention, and the extension will allow time for a permanent agreement to be finalized.
“Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two-week period will allow the agreement to be finalized and consummated. On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the countries of the Middle East, it is an honor to have this long-term problem close to resolution,” he added. (ANI)
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