Dubai, March 9 India issued an advisory on Monday, urging its citizens in Bahrain to remain vigilant, take necessary precautions, and adhere to the safety guidelines of local authorities, given the prevailing situation in the region.
"Indian citizens are requested to follow updates and advisories issued by the Embassy of India in Bahrain and the local authorities," the Embassy of India in Bahrain said in the advisory.
The advisory further stated that the Embassy of India in Bahrain is continuing to function as usual.
The advisory comes in the wake of recent attacks between the US and Iran. On February 28, the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, which followed days of escalating tensions with US President Donald Trump increasing pressure on Tehran to agree to a new deal regarding its nuclear programme.
The transit is being made through Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, it said.
The Embassy stated that priority is being given to stranded Indian nationals, especially those on tourist or short-term visas.
"The Embassy of India in Riyadh is obtaining individual transit visa approvals from the Saudi Government," the advisory said. Therefore, transit visa requests are currently being referred by the Embassy of India in Bahrain to the Embassy of India in Riyadh," it added.
The embassy has also posted a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for transit through Saudi Arabia.
The SOPs are: travellers must have a confirmed air ticket for onward travel to India, and passengers must show the Note Verbale/ formal note issued by the Embassy of India in Riyadh to Saudi immigration authorities at the checkpoint before entering Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi transit visa will be valid for 72-96 hours. Travellers must leave Saudi Arabia for India within this period. Travellers are advised to plan their travel to the Saudi checkpoint preferably during the daytime, it said.