Indian Government takes immediate action to evacuate stranded citizens amid Israel's intensifying conflict
The Indian government is closely monitoring the situation in Israel and making efforts to bring back stranded Indians. Evacuation missions are underway to ensure the safety of Indian nationals. Flights to Israel have been cancelled, leading people to seek safe exit through neighboring countries. The government has issued advisories to Indians in Israel to stay safe and contact the Indian embassy for assistance. The support from India, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is crucial in preventing future threats from Hamas.
The ongoing situation in Israel has captured the attention of the Indian government, with efforts being made to bring back stranded Indians. Meenakshi Lekhi, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, confirmed that the Prime Minister's Office is closely monitoring the situation and ensuring the safety of Indians in Israel. The government has a track record of successful evacuation missions, such as Operation Ganga and Vande Bharat, and is actively working to bring back all Indians affected by the conflict. Currently, there are approximately 18,000 Indian nationals living and working in Israel, and while no Indians have been taken hostage or killed in the crossfire between Israel and Hamas, there have been requests for safe exit from the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv.
As flights to Israel have been cancelled, people are rushing to neighboring countries to escape the war zone. Air India has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv until October 14, and they have already evacuated their crew members and other employees from Israel. Additionally, Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, revealed that efforts by the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions successfully assisted 27 citizens from Meghalaya in safely crossing the border into Egypt. Even Indian actress Nusrat Bharucha, who was promoting a film in Israel, managed to reach Mumbai safely.
The Ministry of External Affairs has issued advisories to Indians in Israel, instructing them to stay safe and contact the Indian embassy if they require any assistance. The Indian embassy in Tel Aviv and the representative office in Palestine have both issued advisories to Indian nationals, urging them to remain vigilant and seek assistance in case of emergencies. Among the Indian community in Israel, there are caregivers, students, IT professionals, and diamond traders. The students, in particular, are in constant communication with each other and are reassured that the situation is under control, advising against spreading panic unnecessarily.
Most Indian students are staying in dorms and accommodation provided by institutions, while caregivers are following the instructions shared by the Indian mission. Elle Prasad, an Indian resident in Ashkelon, where many rockets have fallen, emphasized the importance of being alert and ready to seek shelter. Despite the scary situation, an Indian national living in Gaza assured that she and her family were safe.
The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is actively involved in ensuring the safe return of Indian citizens from Israel. The support from India, including from PM Modi himself, is crucial due to India's own experience with terrorism. Israel's Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, expressed gratitude for India's moral and political support, noting that Israel knows how to handle the situation on the ground, but needs the ability to execute plans effectively to prevent future threats from Hamas.