RIYADH, June 2: The Saudi embassy in Pakistan is considering a three-phase programme to evacuate Saudi diplomats based in Pakistan, their families and students in case of war between India and Pakistan.

The Saudi ambassador in Islamabad, Ali Bin Saeed Bin Awad Al- Asseri, told the local Saudi Gazette that the first phase of the plan focuses on encouraging Saudi families and students who have completed their studies and commitments to spend the summer back home.

The second phase was based on the imminence of war between the two neighbours. In this case the non-essential staff at the embassy and the consulates will be evacuated.

The third phase will entail evacuation of all employees and diplomats in case war break out.

The plan has not been approved yet, Asseri told the newspaper. However, a joint security committee has been constituted to follow the situation.

The Saudi charge d’affaires in New Delhi, Majid Idris, said his embassy had not received any instructions from the Saudi foreign ministry to this effect.

MALAYSIA: Malaysia on Sunday advised families of diplomats and non-essential staff to leave India and Pakistan as soon as possible amid rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said diplomats in New Delhi and Islamabad had been put on standby for a possible evacuation.

“There is considerable fear and anxiety that the deteriorating situation, if not immediately arrested, will not only lead to the conventional war but a more serious military confrontation with severe consequences to both countries and the region,” he said.

OTHER COUNTRIES: Other countries which have asked their nationals to refrain from travelling to India and Pakistan are Portugal, Iran, Ireland, Kuwait, and Portugal.

Russia has decided against recalling their diplomats for the time being.