Mamata Banerjee releases song for Chhath Puja, played at ghats across Bengal
In light of the rapidly escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the Indian government has issued a travel advisory for its citizens, urging them to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran. The advisory, released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday, underscores the need for Indian nationals currently residing in Iran to remain vigilant and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran. This move comes as tensions in the region have reached alarming levels.
The advisory follows a series of aggressive actions, notably after Iran fired around 200 missiles into Israel, which has raised fears of a full-scale war in the Middle East. The Indian Embassy in Israel had previously issued its own advisory, cautioning Indian nationals against unnecessary travel within the country. The embassy highlighted the importance of adhering to local safety protocols and staying close to safety shelters, emphasizing that they are in regular contact with Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of Indian citizens.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has voiced India's serious concern regarding the potential for a regional conflict. While he acknowledged Israel's right to respond to security threats, he emphasized the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law. Speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in the United States, he described the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel as a “terrorist attack,” which he believes is at the root of the current tensions in the region.
In retaliation for the missile attacks, Israel has pledged to respond decisively, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that the nation would choose the time and place for its counteractions. He described the missile assault from Iran as a failure and warned that Iran would soon face painful consequences, similar to those suffered by its adversaries in Gaza and Lebanon. Iranian officials have issued a stark warning, stating that they would carry out “crushing attacks” against Israel if it decides to retaliate. This back-and-forth exchange of threats has further heightened tensions in an already volatile region.