The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued an advisory asking foreign nationals in India who have been affected by the ongoing security situation in West Asia to approach the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for assistance with visa extensions or regularisation of stay.
The warning is issued at a time when tensions in West Asia are rising as a result of recent military attacks and reprisals by the US, Israel, and Iran. International flight schedules and visa processing times have been severely impacted by these events, which further resulted in extensive travel disruptions, airspace closures, and operational uncertainties throughout the region.
As per the MEA, all the foreign nationals who are facing difficulties due to flight cancellations or extended stays in India, are urged to promptly contact the appropriate FRRO office to ensure that they complete necessary formalities and maintain their legal status. For contact details of FRRO, they can visit boi.gov.in.
India has also issued separate travel and safety advisories for its citizens in the region.
The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has urged Indian nationals to exercise “utmost caution,” avoid non-essential travel, remain close to designated shelters and follow official updates. A 24×7 helpline has been activated for emergency assistance.
It has been recommended that Indian nationals in Iran stay home whenever possible and refrain from needless movement.
Diplomatic missions in Gulf countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, have also called on Indians to stay vigilant and register with their respective embassies to facilitate timely support.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has spoken with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, conveying India’s concerns over regional stability and discussing the evolving situation, newsonair reported.
The Centre further emphasised that assistance mechanisms have been put into place to ensure both Indian nationals abroad and foreign nationals in India get help as and when required, as developments in West Asia continue to unfold.
