New Delhi: India on Friday asked its citizens not to travel to Iran and Israel amid growing fears that Tehran could launch an attack on Israeli soil in retaliation for an attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria 11 days to do.
People familiar with the latest developments said that no more Indians would be allowed to go to Israel to work in the construction sector. The first group of 64 Indian workers left for Israel earlier this month and more than 6,000 construction workers from India will leave for Israel in April and May.
There has been growing tension in West Asia following the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Iran blamed Israel for the attack and there were media reports from Tel Aviv that Israeli forces were preparing for any eventuality.
In an advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also urged Indians residing in Iran and Israel to exercise maximum precautions for their safety and limit their movements to a minimum.
“Given the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel until further notice,” he said. “All those currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to contact Indian embassies there and register,” the MEA said. “They are also asked to observe extreme precautions regarding their safety and limit their movements to a minimum,” he added.
Currently, about 4,000 Indians reside in Iran while the number in Israel is nearly 18,500, according to official estimates. It is learned that New Delhi is looking at various contingencies, including the evacuation of Indians from both countries if the general situation deteriorates.
Israel has been on high alert following threats from Iran and intelligence reports suggesting Tehran was preparing to attack targets in Israel to avenge the April 1 attack on its consulate in Damascus .
After the Israel-Hamas conflict, some media reports said that the Israeli construction industry is looking to recruit 100,000 Indian workers to replace the 90,000 Palestinians.
They will be brought to Israel on an “air shuttle” following a joint decision by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Construction and Housing on the grants of the charter flights, said a statement issued by the Israeli government.
Last week, India expressed concern over the deadly attack on Iranian diplomatic premises in the Syrian capital Damascus and said it was troubled by the escalation of tensions in West Asia and its potential to it fuels more instability.
Iranian media reported that seven Revolutionary Guard personnel, including two generals, were killed in the attack. Israel continued its military offensive in Gaza as part of its response to the unprecedented attack on Israeli cities by Hamas on October 7.
Hamas has killed about 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped more than 220 others, some of whom were released during a brief ceasefire. More than 33,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the Israeli offensive, according to Hamas authorities.
India called for the de-escalation of the situation and the creation of conditions for an early resumption of peace negotiations aimed at a two-state solution to the Palestine problem.
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