Diplomatic lines buzzed late Wednesday as India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar connected with Iran’s Seyed Abbas Araghchi to address the spiraling unrest in the Islamic Republic and its environs. The high-level parley highlighted mutual concerns over the precarious security landscape.
On X, Jaishankar posted succinctly: ‘Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called. Discussed emerging situation in and around Iran.’ This comes as New Delhi rolls out a robust travel restriction for its citizens, responding to on-ground perils.
The advisory cuts no corners: ‘In light of ongoing events in Iran, all Indians are urged to strictly avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice.’ It amplifies an earlier January 5 recommendation against elective trips.
Those in-country are advised to prioritize safety by evading hotspots of dissent, staying abreast of events, and monitoring Embassy of India, Tehran communications online. Long-term residents on visas need to register without delay.
Deadly demonstrations across Iranian metropolises have claimed lives, igniting a tinderbox of domestic strife with transboundary effects. The fallout threatens to reshape Middle Eastern equilibria.
The United States has upped the ante, imploring citizens to ‘leave Iran now’ through Armenia or Turkey. Its virtual embassy bulletin flags intensifying protests prone to brutality, inviting arrests, wounds, fortified checks, blockades, transit chaos, and digital curbs. Aviation firms have trimmed routes, pausing some until January 16.
India’s blend of backchannel talks and protective edicts exemplifies measured diplomacy in crisis. As nations fortify their positions, the Iran scenario demands vigilant international cooperation to avert wider escalation.