Amidst the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, the Indian government has initiated measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens residing in Iran, particularly the large population of students. The Embassy of India in Tehran, in coordination with local Iranian authorities, has commenced the relocation of Indian students from Tehran and other potentially vulnerable cities to safer locations within the country.
The primary focus of this relocation effort is to move students away from areas perceived to be at higher risk due to the ongoing hostilities. Buses have been organized to transport students from universities in Tehran, including Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University Tehran Medical Sciences, and Iran University of Medical Sciences, to designated safe zones. Qom is also a location from which buses are expected to start evacuating Indian students.
While officials remain tight-lipped about the specific destinations, it has been reported that students may be relocated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tajrish and Urmia University of Medical Sciences, which is near Iran's border with Turkey and Azerbaijan. The Indian Embassy is advising students to utilize the provided bus service to move out of Tehran as soon as possible.
The urgency of this relocation stems from the intensification of the conflict, with both Israel and Iran exchanging missile and drone attacks. The external affairs ministry has stated that students are being relocated with the Embassy's facilitation to safer places within Iran. The Indian embassy in Tehran is “continuously monitoring the security situation and engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety”.
Iran is home to a significant number of Indian nationals, estimated to be around 4,000, with approximately half being students. Many of these students, a large portion of whom are from Jammu and Kashmir, are pursuing medical and other professional courses in Iranian universities. The affordability and similar cultural environment of Iranian institutions make them a popular choice for Kashmiri students. These students are spread across various cities, including Tehran, Shiraz, and Qom.
The situation has caused considerable anxiety among the families of Indian students in Iran. Parents in Srinagar held protests, urging the Indian government to evacuate their children from the conflict zone. The government has assured them that it is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian students in Iran, with the Ministry of External Affairs maintaining close contact with its Iranian counterparts.
In addition to relocation efforts, the Indian government is exploring other feasible options to safeguard its citizens. Due to the closure of Iranian airspace, evacuation by air is not currently possible. As a result, authorities are considering alternative evacuation methods, including the possibility of evacuating citizens by sea from southern Iranian ports.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has issued emergency contact numbers and created a Telegram group to facilitate communication with Indian nationals throughout Iran. This initiative aims to ensure that all Indians in Iran can connect with the authorities and receive timely updates and assistance. Indians are urged to register with their travel documents to aid in ensuring their safety.
The present conflict has also impacted Indian pilgrims visiting holy sites in Iran. Several groups of Shia pilgrims from India, particularly from Lucknow, who had traveled to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq and reached Qom, have been stranded due to the disruption in air travel.
