News Desk

As tensions between Israel and Iran continue to mount, the Indian government has begun a large-scale evacuation effort to repatriate its nationals from both conflict-affected countries. The initiative comes amid heightened fears of further military escalation in the region, with the Indian Foreign Ministry citing safety concerns for its citizens.

In a press note issued on June 19, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced, “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.” The MEA confirmed that arrangements are being made to facilitate the evacuation through land borders from Israel, with subsequent air travel coordinated to bring them home.

The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has urged citizens to register with consular services and adhere strictly to the safety protocols issued by Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command. “Remain vigilant and strictly follow safety guidelines,” the embassy emphasized in its advisory.

There are currently an estimated 18,000 Indian citizens residing in Israel. The majority are caregivers working with elderly Israelis, but the Indian community also includes diamond traders, IT professionals, and students. Additionally, Israel is home to about 85,000 Jews of Indian origin, although they are Israeli citizens and not directly affected by India’s evacuation plan.

The Indian government is also taking steps to evacuate its nationals from Iran, where tensions remain high following recent Israeli airstrikes. Earlier this week, 110 Indian students in Tehran were evacuated via overland routes to Armenia. The students were transported under the supervision of Indian diplomatic missions in both Iran and Armenia. They were flown back to India in the early hours of June 19.

According to the Indian Express, over 4,000 Indian nationals currently reside in Iran, with nearly half of them being students.

India has historically maintained balanced and cordial relations with both Israel and Iran, carefully navigating its diplomatic ties amid ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts. Following the Israeli military operation on Iran on June 13, India issued a call for restraint. “Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues,” the Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

While the Indian government has not imposed any travel bans to either country, the urgency and scale of the evacuation efforts reflect the seriousness with which New Delhi views the growing instability in the region. Officials have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of all Indian citizens abroad.