Why Is India Asking Its Citizens To Leave Iran 'Expeditiously' Despite A Two-Week Ceasefire?

Even as a fragile ceasefire offers a temporary lull in hostilities in West Asia, the Indian government is moving with urgency to bring its citizens home from Iran, citing concerns that the pause may not hold.

In an updated advisory, the Embassy of India in Tehran has urged all remaining Indian nationals, including students, pilgrims and businesspersons, to leave the country at the earliest available opportunity. The advisory marks a shift from the previous day’s guidance, which had asked citizens to remain indoors for 48 hours amid escalating tensions.

Officials emphasised that nationals should coordinate closely with the mission and strictly use officially designated routes for departure, avoiding any unsanctioned travel plans.

Top government

sources said the advisory should not be viewed with alarm but as a precautionary step, underlining that the safety of Indian citizens abroad remains a top priority for New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly reiterated this position during the West Asia crisis, raising the issue with global counterparts and seeking assurances for the protection of Indian nationals.

India has already evacuated thousands through coordinated efforts such as Operation Sindhu, using land routes from both Iran and Israel during peak hostilities.

According to sources, the current advisory is driven by assessments that the recently announced ceasefire, reportedly a two-week pause between Iran, the United States and Israel, remains tenuous. “There is no guarantee the cessation of hostilities will sustain over the long term,” a senior official said.

The government also believes that the present window may be the safest for evacuation. With airspace disruptions continuing after recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran, commercial flight options remain uncertain and potentially risky. In contrast, land borders and highway routes have become relatively more accessible following the ceasefire announcement.

“The idea is not to wait for the situation to deteriorate again,” a source explained. “India does not want its citizens to be caught in a sudden resumption of conflict.”