New Delhi, March 16 India has evacuated over 550 of its nationals from Iran through Armenia, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanking Yerevan on Monday for facilitating the land-based transit.
New Delhi has been urging Indian nationals stranded in Iran to travel to Armenia for subsequent travel to India, given the escalating conflict in West Asia.
"I would like to thank the Government and the people of Armenia for facilitating the safe evacuation of over 550 Indian nationals from Iran so far," Jaishankar, who is currently in Brussels, said.
"I appreciate their support during these challenging times," he said on social media.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week that around 9,000 Indians were staying in Iran, and the Indian government is assisting those who wish to travel to Azerbaijan and Armenia for their subsequent return to India.
"These 9,000 Indian nationals include students; they also include seafarers, some business people, some professionals, and some pilgrims," he had said.
India has already moved several Indian nationals, including students and pilgrims, from Tehran to other safer locations and cities in Iran.