‘His last call was from a crowded place’: Three Indians go missing in Iran, MEA takes up issue with Tehran

Panchal is among the three Indians who had gone missing in Iran over the last two months, and India has raised the issue with Tehran strongly, the Ministry of External Affairs said Friday.

“The matter has been raised with the Iranian embassy in Delhi and with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran,” MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

Talking to The Indian Express, Panchal’s wife Shradha, said, “The last call we had with him was on December 7 evening. He seemed to be in a crowded place and said he will call back soon. But no call came.”

Shradha kept trying his number for the next two days and it rang without a response. On December 9, the number was switched off. Since he had travelled with a return ticket for December 11, the family waited for his return. Shradha said her husband travelled by himself for the trip.

Shradha, who has a six-year-old child, said she is hopeful of locating Yogesh and is in touch with the local MP on the issue.

The other two missing Indians are Mohammad Sadeeque, who had also travelled to Iran in December 2024, and Sumeet Sud, who travelled to Iran early this month.

The families have contacted the MEA officials, who have remained in touch and have been assured of all possible help. “The MEA and the embassy of India in Tehran remain in touch with Iranian authorities and have requested for their assistance in locating the missing nationals and ensuring their safety,” Jaiswal said.

He said they (missing persons) reportedly travelled on  business purposes and the families lost contact with them shortly after their arrival in Iran.

In close touch with Male: India on economic crisis facing Maldives

New Delhi: As the Maldives faces a looming economic crisis, India on Friday said it is in close touch with the island nation regarding the situation.

The economy of Maldives is reeling under increasing pressure, largely because of debt distress. “We remain in close touch with Maldivian authorities on the situation facing them,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal also referred to some recent agreements signed by the Maldivian government, saying they are likely to result in revenue loss and that it is a matter of concern.

“We would, obviously, need to take that into account while framing our own policies,” he said. PTI