Recently, Bharat has changed its travel advice for people heading to Iran and Israel. Earlier, on April 12, Bharat had advised its citizens not to visit these nations due to heightened tensions. However, now the Bharatiya government suggests being cautious while traveling there.
The change in advisory comes after observing that both Iran and Israel have opened their airspace. This decision aims to keep Bharatiya travelers informed and safe while they plan their trips.
The Bharatiya Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized the importance of staying in touch with the Bharatiya Embassy while traveling to these countries.
The tensions between Iran and Israel had escalated earlier when an Israeli air strike targeted a building in the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus, Syria. This event resulted in casualties, including a senior commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. Responding, Iran launched a counterattack on Israel, raising concerns in the arena.
Several factors influenced Bharat’s decision to modify the travel advisory. Firstly, there has been a noticeable decrease in tensions between Iran and Israel. This easing of tensions is evident from the relaxation of airspace restrictions by both nations. In addition, Israel’s plans to hire thousands of Bharatiya construction workers also played a role in the decision.
The Bharatiya government had received requests from Bharatiya citizens residing in Iran for easing travel restrictions. Many students expressed their desire to come to Bharat, prompting a review of the advisory.
Moreover, the delay caused by the previous advisory had impacted the travel plans of over 6,000 Bharatiya workers who were supposed to go to Israel for employment.
Presently, there are approximately 19,000 Bharatiyas in Israel, including workers and professionals. Israel has been actively recruiting foreign labor, especially for the construction sector, following the cancellation of permits for Palestinian workers after terror attacks by Hamas.
Similarly, Iran hosts over 4,000 Bharatiya nationals, including students, academics, and traders.
The initial advisory issued on April 12 urged all Bharatiya to refrain from traveling to Iran or Israel until further notice. It also advised Bharatiyas already residing in these countries to register themselves with the Bharatiya embassies and take necessary safety precautions.
Bharat has communicated its concerns regarding the situation in West Asia to both Iran and Israel, emphasizing the significance of avoiding further escalation.
In recent phone conversations, Bharat’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, discussed the situation with his counterparts in Iran and Israel.
The Bharatiya government remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad while maintaining diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
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