External Affairs Minister Dr SJaishankaron Monday, Match 9, assured the nation that the central government is making efforts to bring back Indian citizens stuck inWest Asiaamid escalating conflict. Dr Jaishankar briefed both the houses of the Parliament on the situation of West Asia and Centre's stand over the same. He noted that nearly one crore Indians live and work in Gulf countries, while few thousand are in Iran for study or employment, making regional stability critical for India. The Gulf is also central to India's energy security and trade, accounting for nearly USD 200 billion in commerce, he said.

Making a suo moto statement on the crisis that broke out on February 28 when the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran and Tehran retaliated with attacks of US positions in the region as well as Israel, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said safety of Indian nationals as well as national interests such as energy security and trade remain top most priority for the government.

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Amid opposition MPs staging a walkout of the House after they vociferously put across their demand for a discussion on the issue, Jaishankar said, "I want to assure the House that every effort is being made that those who are stuck in the region, those who are transit passengers who are there, those who need to come back urgently from this region, we are making every effort for them to do so."

"The wellbeing and security of the Indian community in the region is our priority. And our national interests, including energy security and trade, will always remain paramount."

Indian diplomatic missions have assisted citizens with relocation and evacuation efforts, including helping some Indian nationals travel to neighbouring countries such as Armenia for onward return to India, he said.

According to the minister, nearly 67,000 Indian nationals have returned from the region so far as the government facilitated additional commercial flights and other travel arrangements amid partial airspace openings. "There were 51 inbound flights operated by Indian carriers which arrived in India on the 07th. On the 08th, there were 49 flights. On the 09th there are 50 flights," he said.

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Jaishankar said the Indian government has remained in close contact with regional leaders, with Prime Minister Modi speaking to the leaders of the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, and Israel, all of whom assured the safety of the Indian community.

He added that India has also maintained diplomatic contact with the US and Iran, and he himself spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on February 28 and March 5.

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