look news india
The most sensitive and biggest international news of the moment is emerging from global geopolitics and the tense battlefield of the Middle East. Amidst the increasing military conflict in West Asia, fear of missile attacks and deepening crisis on the border, the United States (US) has taken a new diplomatic and strategic step and issued a high-level security advisory. The US Department of State and relevant embassies have warned their citizens, diplomats and non-essential staff present in the conflict affected areas in clear words to immediately evacuate by available commercial flights without any delay, as the situation on the ground could go completely out of control at any moment.
This latest warning has intensified the stir in diplomatic circles around the world. Considering the inputs of intelligence agencies and the threat looming over the airspace, it is believed that the coming 24 to 48 hours may prove to be very critical.
In the official advisory issued by the US Embassy, citizens have been asked not to take the deteriorating security environment lightly. The advisory underlines that the airspace can be closed at any time, due to which there is every possibility of commercial flight operations coming to a sudden halt. If the airspace is closed or missile alerts are issued at major airports, it will be almost impossible for the government to safely evacuate its citizens in times of crisis.
The advisory cautions citizens to plan their travel immediately without waiting for any emergency. The Embassy has also made it clear that citizens who are unable to evacuate immediately due to any reason should keep adequate quantities of dry food, drinking water, essential life-saving medicines and cash and stay near bunkers or safe shelters.
Strategic affairs experts believe that issuing large-scale advisories by America is not limited only to the security of its citizens, but is also part of a well-thought-out diplomatic and psychological strategy. Whenever Washington gives public orders to its citizens to withdraw from the war zone, it sends a clear message to the opposing groups and the international community that a major military counterattack or airstrike could begin at any time.
This step creates indirect psychological pressure on the opposing camp to stop their aggressive activities, otherwise be prepared to face extensive military action. At the same time, this advance warning also acts as a security shield to avoid political questions being raised on the administration in case of any untoward incident at the domestic level or any casualty of American citizens.
Any kind of tension in the Middle East becomes a matter of direct concern for India. Millions of skilled and semi-skilled citizens from states like New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh (especially Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh), Bihar, Kerala, Punjab and Rajasthan are employed in the Gulf countries and various parts of Western Asia.
If tensions increase and other western countries also start evacuating their citizens in line with the US advisory, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will also come under immense pressure to ensure the safety of its citizens. Families of expatriates working in Gulf countries are deeply worried about the safety of their relatives. Additionally, due to airspace diversions, flights from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport of Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow to the Middle East and Europe may see a huge jump in fares and an increase in travel time by several hours.
The second most lethal impact of the US warning is sure to be on the global economy and energy security. This region of the Middle East is located at the center of the world’s major oil producing regions and international maritime trade routes (such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea).
As soon as America’s advisory became public, an upward trend in the prices of Brent Crude has started being recorded in the international oil market. If the conflict escalates into a widespread war, oil supply disruptions could lead to higher prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas across the world, including in India, increasing the risk of a sharp rise in local inflation.
In view of this highly sensitive situation, security experts have issued important guidelines for all foreign nationals and travelers present in the affected areas:
Constantly keep an eye on the social media handles of the local administration and embassy and trust only official information. Book tickets without delay and arrange for safe return to third country or home country through ongoing commercial flights. Keep your passport, visa, identity card and all original insurance related documents safe in a waterproof bag and always with you. Maintain complete distance from crowded areas, sensitive military bases, government establishments and sites of protests.