India on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire between the US and Iran, expressing hope for a broader de-escalation in West Asia, while simultaneously urging its citizens to “expeditiously exit Iran” amid continuing uncertainties on the ground.In a fresh advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asked Indian nationals still in Iran to leave the country at the earliest in coordination with the Embassy of India in Tehran and strictly follow designated evacuation routes.“In continuation of the advisory of April 7, and in light of recent developments, Indian nationals still in Iran are strongly advised to expeditiously exit Iran, in coordination with the Embassy and using the routes suggested,” the advisory said. Italso issued an emergency contact numbers and consular support details.Officials indicated that around 7,500 Indian nationals remained in Iran, even as evacuation efforts gather pace. As of Tuesday, the Embassy has facilitated the exit of 1,864 Indians through land borders with Armenia and Azerbaijan, including 935 students and 472 fishermen.New Delhi’s twin-track response — welcoming the ceasefire while accelerating evacuation — reflects lingering concerns about the fragility of the truce despite diplomatic progress.In an official statement, the MEA reiterated India’s long-tanding position that “de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy” are essential to resolving the conflict.“We welcome the ceasefire reached and hope that it will lead to a lasting peace in West Asia. As we have continuously advocated earlier, de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy are essential to bring an early end to the ongoing conflict,” the statement said.The ceasefire, announced after weeks of escalating hostilities between Washington and Tehran, has offered a temporary pause in a conflict that disrupted global energy supplies and trade routes, and raised fears of a wider regional war.A key element of the agreement is the conditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.India has underscored the broader economic fallout of the conflict, noting that the hostilities had caused “immense suffering” and significantly impacted global supply chains.“We expect that unimpeded freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce would prevail through the Strait of Hormuz,” the MEA said, reflecting concerns shared by major energy-dependent economies.The two-week ceasefire is being viewed as a critical window for negotiations, following intense diplomatic efforts involving multiple stakeholders. However, officials and analysts remain cautious, warning that the situation on the ground remains fluid, with risks of violations or miscalculations.India’s calibrated response highlights both its strategic stakes in the region and its immediate priority of ensuring the safety of its citizens. With thousands still in Iran and evacuation operations ongoing, authorities are closely monitoring developments even as diplomatic efforts continue.As the region navigates a fragile pause in hostilities, New Delhi’s message remains clear — cautious optimism on peace, but no let-up in ensuring the safe return of its nationals from a volatile conflict zone.