A group of Indian nationals returned to India on Saturday after being evacuated from conflict-ridden Syria. Upon their arrival at Delhi airport, they recounted the chaotic and frightening circumstances they experienced, while also expressing appreciation for the support provided by the Indian Embassy in Syria.
Sunil Dutt, a mechanical engineer from Chandigarh, described the tense atmosphere in the streets, where he witnessed the presence of “anti-social elements” engaged in looting. He shared that the situation was dire, filled with the sounds of explosions and visible fires. Despite the chaos, he noted that Indian Embassy officials maintained regular communication, advising them to stay calm and refrain from opening their doors for safety.
In light of the recent upheaval in Syria, the Indian government successfully evacuated all nationals who wished to return home. The Syrian government faced collapse on Sunday, with rebel forces seizing control of the capital, Damascus, and other key areas.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), stated during a briefing that 77 Indian nationals had been evacuated from Syria following the escalating crisis. Indian Embassy personnel accompanied the evacuees to the border, where they were then received by the Indian mission in Lebanon, which facilitated their immigration.
Sachit Kapoor, a Greater Noida resident, recounted his experiences after spending nearly seven months in Syria. He noted that the situation deteriorated sharply on December 7, leading to their relocation to Damascus amid alarming violence, including fires and bombings. Kapoor praised the Embassy for smoothly facilitating their transfer to Lebanon, where they faced no difficulties in terms of accommodation and food.
Ratan Lal, who had spent five years in Syria, also shared his experiences. After being called to Damascus amid the unrest, he and others were accommodated in a hotel while visas were arranged for their travel home. Lal mentioned that his family urged him to return safely.
Chetan Lal, another returnee from Gurgaon district, had been working in Syria for the past decade in a glass bottle manufacturing company. He described his experience of being sheltered in Damascus for three days and acknowledged the cooperation from both the Lebanese and Syrian embassies in assisting with their safe return.
The Indian Embassy in Syria remains operational, and earlier in the week, India called for a peaceful and inclusive political solution led by Syrians to help restore stability in the region.
