MEA must establish coordinated evacuation for Indian students: Congress

The Congress on Sunday claimed that more than 1500 Indian students are left in a state of uncertainty in Iran and asked the Ministry of External Affairs to move beyond passive advisories to immediately establish a coordinated evacuation mechanismThe Congress assertion came after Indians in Iran were on Sunday asked not to panic exercise due caution and maintain contact with the Embassy of India in Tehran through its social media accounts in view of the current situation in the country following the launch of strikes by IsraelCongress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera alleged that while Indian students in Iran are calling for help the government remains largely unresponsive even as missiles rain from the skyWith flights suspended airspace over Tehran closed and internet access disrupted more than 1500 Indian students are left in a state of precarity and uncertainty with no information about evacuation or safe zones Khera said in a post on XThe Indian Embassy has issued a generic advisory urging the students to remain vigilant avoid all unnecessary movements follow the Embassys Social Media accounts and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities he saidMeanwhile students remain trapped in distress as the Indian Embassy in Iran remains unresponsive We are traumatized after last nights attack There has been no response from the Indian Embassy Our families are panicking Khera saidHe claimed this is not the first time Indian citizens have been left pleading for help during foreign crises Whether it was Sudan Ukraine or now Iran Modis government has turned evacuations into propaganda opportunities stepping in late speaking too much and doing too little too slowly Khera allegedThe MEA must move beyond passive advisories and immediately establish a coordinated evacuation mechanism complete with emergency response teams realtime communication channels and logistic support before the window for safe exit narrows any further he saidIn an advisory the Indian embassy in Iran asked all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin to remain vigilant avoid all unnecessary movements follow the embassys social media accounts and observe safety protocols as advised by local authoritiesThe embassy provided a Google form on its X account and asked the Indian citizens to fill it out to provide their details Please remember it is important not to panic exercise due caution and maintain contact with the Embassy of India in Tehran it saidIt also provided a Telegram Link and asked the Indian citizen to join it to receive updates on the situation from the missionKindly note that this Telegram Link is ONLY for those Indian Nationals who are currently in Iran the embassy posted on X It also provided emergency contact detailsThe Congress on Sunday unequivocally condemned Israels recent bombings and targeted assassinations on Iranian soil and said this attack on Irans sovereignty and encroachment of its rights only deepens instability as well as sows the seeds of further conflictThe opposition party asserted that India must speak clearly act responsibly and use every diplomatic channel available to defuse tensions and promote a return to dialogueIsrael had on Friday launched Operation Rising Lion to strike at Irans nuclear missile and military complex The strikes left key military commanders and nuclear scientists dead Iran retaliated by launching waves of drones and ballistic missiles at IsraelThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever