New Delhi, Mar 05: The government on Thursday set up a dedicated control room in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to monitor the safety of Indian nationals in West Asia following escalating hostilities in the region.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the move comes amid rising tensions after the killing of Iran Supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, in US-Israel strikes last week.
An official spokesperson said the control room has been established to provide assistance to Indian citizens, including residents of Jammu and Kashmir, students, businesspersons, travellers and pilgrims who may be affected by the situation.
“A special control room has been set up in the MEA in view of the prevailing situation in West Asia and the Gulf region. It will extend all possible assistance to affected Indians,” the spokesperson said.
The control room will function daily from 9 am to 9 pm. Indian nationals can contact the toll-free number 1800118797 or reach out through the designated landline numbers of the MEA for assistance.
In addition, the government has shared emergency contact details of Indian missions in several countries across the region, including Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Representative Office in Ramallah.
Indian nationals have been advised to remain vigilant, follow local advisories and stay in regular contact with the respective Indian embassies and consulates.
Officials said the situation is being closely monitored and further measures will be taken as required to ensure the safety and security of Indian citizens.
The MEA has in the past activated similar mechanisms during crises in the Gulf region to coordinate evacuation efforts and provide timely assistance to Indians stranded abroad. (KNO)
