TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday urged Taiwanese citizens in the India-Pakistan border areas to leave as tensions between the two countries escalate.
An attack occurred in the Kashmir region on April 22, resulting in 26 deaths, per BCC News. Following an investigation, India identified at least three of the attackers as Pakistani, further inflaming tensions between the two countries.
India responded on Wednesday by launching “Operation Sindoor,” missile strikes against nine "terrorist infrastructure" sites in Pakistan, with Pakistan's military reporting 31 people killed and 57 wounded, per BBC. Pakistan retaliated by shelling the Indian side of the Line of Control, and an Indian defense source told CNN that 12 Indian civilians were killed and 57 were injured.
On Wednesday evening, MOFA issued a statement saying tensions between India and Pakistan show no signs of easing in the short term. The ministry said that several airports across India have been temporarily closed, including Leh, Thois, Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Jamnagar, Bhatinda, Bhuj, Dharamshala, Shimla, Rajkot, and Porbandar.
The ministry strongly advised Taiwanese nationals to leave the India-Pakistan border areas as soon as possible. This includes Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, as well as other regions near the Pakistani border.
It said Taiwanese should remain vigilant and closely monitor developments in the region.
If Taiwanese encounter an emergency requiring assistance while in India, they are advised to call the emergency hotlines for the nearest Taiwan representative office:
- Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India (New Delhi): +91-9810-642-658
- Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Chennai: +91-96000-99511
- Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Mumbai: +91-8850842243
Taiwanese citizens in India can also ask family or friends in Taiwan to call the MOFA emergency hotline at 0800-085-095 for assistance.
