In a pressing move amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has penned a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for immediate intervention to safeguard Indian expatriates.
The letter, dispatched on Sunday, highlights the chief minister’s deep concerns over the fallout from recent attacks on Iran. ‘I am writing to share my worries about the situation following the strikes on Iran,’ Vijayan stated. ‘The repercussions are rippling across the Gulf region, affecting all nations involved.’
Kerala’s large expatriate community in Gulf countries forms the crux of his appeal. Thousands of families back home are on edge, fearing for their loved ones’ safety. Vijayan emphasized the need for robust measures, including contingency plans for evacuation if circumstances worsen.
‘I trust the central government will treat this with the urgency it demands,’ he added, underscoring the vulnerability of Indian workers, predominantly from Kerala, who power the region’s economies.
The Kerala government stands ready to assist, offering helplines for families to connect with relatives abroad and coordinating relief efforts.
This plea comes against a backdrop of intense conflict. Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, prompting retaliatory missile and drone assaults from Iran targeting US bases in Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar. Israel claims to have hit over 30 targets in western and central Iran, crippling air defenses, missile launchers, and military command centers.
In bold assertions, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported the deaths of seven senior Iranian commanders, including the defense minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and the IRGC chief, alongside Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s demise.
As hostilities intensify, Vijayan’s letter amplifies calls for diplomatic engagement to protect India’s diaspora and prevent further escalation. The central government’s response could set a precedent for handling such crises, balancing national security with humanitarian imperatives.