As conflict escalates in Middle Asia, the Indian government has stepped in with a compassionate move for its citizens and their furry companions. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has announced a one-time relaxation, allowing Indian nationals to bring back their stranded pets from war-hit regions without the usual stringent pre-departure formalities.

According to the Department of Animal Husbandry, pet owners can now bypass full documentation if the situation prevents it. As long as the owner declares that the pet has been with them for at least a month, entry will be permitted. Even if vaccination records or ‘pet passports’ are incomplete, the animal will be cleared after a health check and a mandatory rabies shot at the port of entry. The final clearance will be overseen by the Animal Quarantine & Certification Services.

Parallelly, the geopolitical tension has impacted international aviation. With the airspace of Iran and Iraq becoming inaccessible, Air India has been forced to take a longer route via Egypt to reach Europe and North America. To accommodate these extended flight hours, the DGCA has temporarily relaxed ‘Flight Duty Time Limitations’ (FDTL) for pilots until April 30. These proactive measures by the central government are being hailed as a major support for Indians navigating the Middle East crisis.