India still cautious on Iran, again issued travel advisory, advice to avoid non-essential travel

In view of the security situation in Iran, India has again issued a travel advisory. This is India’s second revised travel advisory within a week. Although the Indian Embassy in Tehran has said that there have been positive signs of improvement in the security situation in recent times, Indian citizens have been advised to avoid non-essential travel to Iran until further notice. The Embassy has clarified that Indians who cannot avoid going to Iran or who are already living there, should be more cautious.

Indian citizens have been asked to follow the instructions of the local administration and keep taking security updates from reliable sources. Apart from this, all the Indians present in Iran and the newly arrived ones have also been appealed to register themselves in the Indian Embassy and the Embassy has also issued helpline numbers and emails for emergencies.

This advice comes at a time when the embassy has described the security environment in Iran as improved but still sensitive. The first round of talks between the US and Iran aimed at reaching a final agreement to end the conflict ended with encouraging progress brokered by mediators Qatar and Pakistan.

MoU signed

In a joint statement issued last Monday, Qatar and Pakistan said both sides have agreed on a roadmap to work towards a comprehensive agreement within the next 60 days. Last week, Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum of understanding to lay the foundation for negotiations after nearly 40 days of fighting and a shaky and frequently broken ceasefire.

Advice against non-essential travel

India’s updated advisory reflects the improved situation in Iran, but also advises caution. The embassy has advised against non-essential travel and urged Indian citizens present in the country to remain vigilant, follow local instructions and stay in touch with official updates. In fact, soon after the conflict in West Asia started due to the joint attacks on Iranian targets by America and Israel and the subsequent retaliation, India started issuing travel advisory for Iran on February 28, which continues till now.

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