Amid tensions in West Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday that the Indian Embassy in Israel is in permanent contact with Indian nationals.

At a weekly press conference, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said necessary travel notices have been issued for Indians in Israel to ensure their safety.

“About 20,000-30,000 people of Indian origin live in Israel. Our embassy there is in constant touch with them. We have issued necessary travel and other notices to ensure their safety,” Jaiswal said, according to ANI.

He reiterated that India’s position on the situation in West Asia remains the same as it was on October 26, when Israel carried out precision strikes on military sites in Iran.

India expressed concern and called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy.

“We are deeply concerned about the ongoing escalation in West Asia and its ramifications for peace and stability in the region and beyond. We reiterate our call to all involved to exercise restraint and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy,” statement issued by India he had said. “Ongoing hostilities benefit no one, even as innocent hostages and civilian populations continue to suffer…”

Israel vs Iran

On October 26, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that its military had carried out “precision strikes” on Iranian military targets.

This was in response to the barrage of rockets that Tehran fired at Israel a few days ago.

It was the first time the Israeli military had openly attacked Iran, which has not faced sustained bombing from a foreign enemy since its war with Iraq in the 1980s.

The Iranian strikes followed a nearly year-long conflict between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, including the deaths of senior leaders and fighting in the Gaza Strip.