Nepalis in Iran being rescued

Kathmandu, June 21: The Indian government is set to help in rescuing Nepali citizens who are stranded in Iran due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, following a formal request from the Nepal government.     

The Indian Embassy in Iran is set to assist in evacuating them, acting on a formal request made by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba.     

"We have a small number of Nepali citizens in Iran. I formally requested the Indian government, through Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava, to help evacuate our citizens alongside theirs. We are waiting for their cooperation," said Foreign Minister Rana.     

There are 16 Nepali citizens in Iran, five of whom are in Iranian prisons due to immigration laws. After the Indian Embassy in Iran accepted Nepal's request, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today contacted Nepalis in Iran and asked them to contact the Indian Embassy, reads a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry today.     

The Indian Embassy in Iran has also issued a notice to this effect. The Indian Embassy has also asked citizens of Nepal in Iran to contact the officials.     

Foreign Minister Rana has been holding discussions and coordinating efforts for the safety of Nepalis in the region for the past few days. She instructed the Ambassador of Nepal to India, Dr Shankar Sharma, to coordinate the rescue efforts.     

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri, is in regular contact with the Nepalis in Iran and is coordinating with the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Iran, Rakhee Mayuri.     

Out of the 16 Nepalis, five Nepalis are in Iranian prisons due to immigration laws, and the Ministry is continuing its initiative to release and repatriate them to Nepal, reads the press release. (RSS)