India has asked its 12000 nationals in Lebanon to keep their documents ready for any eventuality so that they could be pulled out from the war zone where the situation, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said, 'has become grave enough to warrant concern'.
Speaking to reporters after talks with visiting Ecuador Foreign Minister Francisco Carrion Mena, Sharma said India had, however, not taken any decision on pulling out the 672 Indian troops who are part of the United Nations Force in Lebanon.
"There has been no decision as far as [the Indian] troops are concerned. They are part of the multi-national force," Sharma added.
One Indian soldier was injured on Monday after shrapnel from Israeli bombing hit him. India protested to Israel against the incident. Israel later regretted the incident.
As many as 49 Indians, including family members of the Indian Embassy staff in Beirut, were evacuated to neighbouring Syria on Monday.
In Damascus, the Indian embassy is looking after them.
"All Indian nationals living there, particularly in southern Lebanon, should take suitable precautions regarding their personal safety. I would advise them to remain in contact with our embassy in Beirut.
"The embassy will give them the necessary advice and updated information on the evolving situation. It is possible that some of them may not have travel documents, or may need other consular assistance, so our embassy would assist in this regard.
Those Indian nationals who may wish to leave Lebanon and are able to cross into Syria, have been advised to contact the Indian embassy in Damascus, which is also running a 24-hour help-line and is being manned round the clock,'' Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry Rajiv Sikri said.
