Three Indian Businessmen Reported Missing in Iran
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that three Indian citizens who traveled to Iran for business are currently unaccounted for.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue at a press briefing on Friday, highlighting that the Indian government has reached out to both the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi and the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran. Jaiswal assured that the families of the missing individuals are being kept informed.
"Three Indian nationals who had gone to Iran for business purposes are missing. We are in contact with their families. We have taken steps with the Iranian authorities through their embassy in Delhi and the Foreign Ministry in Tehran," he stated.
The MEA, along with the Indian Embassy in Tehran, is actively coordinating with Iranian authorities to find the missing Indians and ensure their safety.
In a related matter concerning Indian nationals in Russia, Jaiswal mentioned that there are currently 18 individuals reported missing, with a focus on cooperating with Russian officials to locate them.
The MEA previously confirmed that 12 Indian citizens lost their lives while serving in the Russian Army amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, while 16 more remain unaccounted for.
Jaiswal noted, "In total, there are 126 cases of Indian nationals having served in the Russian Army. Of these, 96 have returned to India, while 18 are still there, with 16 classified as missing by Russian authorities." He expressed that the Indian government is seeking the prompt release and return of those who remain.
It is important to note that many Indian citizens have been misled into participating in the conflict in Ukraine under the guise of attractive job opportunities. Last year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) uncovered a significant human trafficking network that had been exploiting this situation by luring individuals with promises of well-paying jobs abroad, ultimately sending them into a war zone.
The Indian government continues its efforts to ensure the safety and return of its citizens involved in these troubling situations.
