Amid escalating conflict, India to extend Op Sindhu to Israel as well | India News
NEW DELHI: As tensions escalated further between Israel and Iran, the Indian government said Thursday it had decided to evacuate from Israel those Indian nationals who wish to leave. Their travel from Israel will be facilitated through the land borders and thereafter by air to India, said the government.“In view of the above, the embassy of India in Tel Aviv would be making arrangements for the evacuation of Indians,” said the govt in a statement, requesting Indian nationals to register themselves with the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv.India had on Wednesday launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran. It had also asked Indian nationals to leave capital Tehran. With Israeli cities like Tel Aviv under attack from Iranian strikes, the govt felt the need to evacuate Indians from Israel too.There are 38,000 Indian nationals living in Israel currently. According to the MEA, these are mostly caregivers – employed by Israeli elders to take care of them – diamond traders, workers employed in construction and agriculture sectors, IT professionals, and students.“Govt of India accords the highest priority to safety and security of Indian nationals abroad. Govt will continue to monitor the situation closely. The Embassy remains continuously in touch with the community with a view to extending all feasible assistance,” the govt statement read.Meanwhile, a special flight carrying 110 Indian students from Urmia Medical University in Iran arrived in Delhi Thursday from Yerevan. Minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh received the evacuees at IGI airport. He said govt has received evacuation requests from 350 Indians in Iran.“We, on our part, are making every effort to ensure the safe return of all Indian nationals from Iran. It is a major responsibility, and we are committed to fulfilling it. We have more planes on standby,” Singh told mediapersons.
