New Delhi

India has evacuated more than 550 of its nationals from Iran through Armenia amid the escalating conflict in West Asia.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday thanked the government and people of Armenia for facilitating the land-border transit of the evacuated Indians.

“Thank the Government and the people of Armenia for facilitating the safe evacuation of over 550 Indian nationals from Iran so far. Appreciate their support in these challenging times,” Jaishankar, currently visiting Brussels, said in a social media post.

India has been urging its citizens stranded in Iran to cross into Armenia for onward travel back home as tensions continue to escalate in the region.

According to Randhir Jaiswal, around 9,000 Indian nationals were in Iran, including students, seafarers, businesspeople, professionals and pilgrims.

He said the government was assisting those who wished to travel to Armenia and Azerbaijan for their subsequent return to India.

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India has also relocated several citizens, including students and pilgrims, from Tehran to safer locations within Iran as part of precautionary measures.