‘Avoid Non-Essential Travel To Iraq’: MEA Issues Travel Advisory

India asks citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iraq.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

The government on Wednesday, 8 January, issued a travel advisory asking citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iraq in view of the tense situation in the Gulf country.

Iran launched missile strikes against two US military bases in Iraq on Wednesday in retaliation to the killing of top Iranian commander General Qassem Soleimani on 3 January.

“In view of the prevailing situation in Iraq, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Iraq until further notification,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar wrote on Twitter.

The advisory also asked Indian nationals residing in Iraq to remain alert and avoid travel within Iraq.

“Our Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate in Erbil will continue to function normally to provide all services to Indians residing in Iraq,” the MEA spokesperson added.

(Catch all the live updates on Iran here)