India is in regular contact with Iranian authorities to trace three Indian nationals who have gone missing in Iran, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, adding that it is receiving “good cooperation” from the Iranian side.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing a media briefing in New Delhi, said the government is also in constant communication with the families of the missing individuals and is providing them with all possible assistance.
“The three Indian nationals who had landed there some time ago are missing, and we are in touch with the Iranian authorities to locate them for their safety, security, and eventual return home,” Jaiswal said. “We are in daily contact with the authorities there. We are also in touch with the families. Understandably, they are anxious, and we are doing our best to assist them.”
Asked whether the MEA was aware of similar incidents reported in recent months, including ransom calls allegedly originating from Pakistan, Jaiswal clarified that the current case involves individuals who traveled to Iran earlier this month.
“February was a different issue,” he said. “What we are discussing now pertains to three Indian nationals who recently traveled to Iran in May.”
The Indian Embassy in Iran had earlier confirmed that it was aware of the case and had taken up the matter strongly with local authorities. In a statement posted on X, the embassy said, “Family members of three Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after having travelled to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities and requested that the missing Indians be urgently traced and their safety ensured.”
The embassy also said it is keeping the families regularly updated on the status of its efforts.
(ANI)