The Indian government is keeping a close watch on the evolving situation in Iran, where widespread protests over economic hardships have led to significant unrest. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a formal advisory, urging Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the country and exercise heightened caution.
Travel Advisory and Safety Measures for Indian Nationals
On Friday, January 5, New Delhi officially urged Indian nationals to defer all non-essential travel to Iran. The advisory also strongly recommended that Indian citizens already residing in or visiting Iran should remain vigilant and avoid areas where protests or demonstrations are occurring. This precautionary measure underscores the government's priority regarding the safety of its citizens abroad.
During the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the situation. He confirmed that India is closely following all developments. "We are closely following the developments in Iran. As you would have seen, we have also issued an advisory. We have some 10,000 Indian nationals and people of Indian origin in that country," Jaiswal stated, highlighting the scale of the Indian community potentially affected.
Root of the Protests and Regional Impact
The protests, which began approximately two weeks ago in Tehran, were primarily triggered by a severe economic downturn. A sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial against the US dollar, coupled with rising inflation, has sparked public anger and frustration. The demonstrations have since spread to a large number of provinces across Iran, and reports indicate that the unrest has resulted in a number of casualties.
Consular Access for Detained Indian Crew Members
In a related development, Jaiswal also responded to queries about the reported detention of Indian crew members from a tanker seized by Iranian authorities in December. Media reports had indicated that the vessel was taken for alleged violations of certain norms.
Jaiswal confirmed the Indian government's active involvement in the case. "Yes, we have sought consular access... We understand that 10 of them have been detained. Our embassy is in touch with the Iranian authorities on this matter, and we have also sought consular access so that we can inquire about their well-being and also offer whatever assistance required from our side," he explained. This underscores ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure the welfare of detained Indian citizens.
The Indian government's dual focus remains clear: monitoring the volatile security situation for its large diaspora and providing necessary consular support to those in direct need, such as the detained seafarers. The MEA continues to engage with Iranian officials to navigate these complex circumstances.
