Evacuation amid Iran-Israel conflict as India steps up efforts to protect its citizens abroad, Student cross safely into Armenia
A group of 110 Indian students has been evacuated from Urmia Medical University in Iran, crossing into Armenia.
- The students are set to fly to New Delhi on Wednesday.
- This evacuation follows India's decision to withdraw nationals amid escalating conflict in the region.
- India's Ministry of External Affairs is coordinating with neighboring countries for safe transit.
New Delhi:Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, Indian students in Tehran have been moved out of the city, with 110 of them crossing the border into Armenia as part of arrangements made by the embassy.
Media reports from Srinagar said that the Indian nationals including 90 from the Kashmir Valley crossed the Iranian border safely. About 600 Indian students, mostly from J&K, were brought to the Iranian city of Qom from Tehran, also after facilitation by the Indian Embassy.
In view of the “fluid” situation amid hostilities between Israel and Iran, India announced that some of its nationals “have been facilitated to leave Iran through the border with Armenia”, adding that Indian students in Tehran “have been moved out of the city for reasons of safety, through arrangements made by the Indian Embassy”.
New Delhi also advised “other residents (Indian nationals) who are self sufficient in terms of transport to move out of the city (Tehran) in view of the developing situation”.
The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said it has established “a 24x7 control room in view of the ongoing developments in Iran and Israel”, adding that “in addition, the Embassy of India in Tehran, Iran has set up a 24x7 emergency helpline”.
Armenia has very close and strategic ties with India and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar had earlier on Monday spoken to his Armenian counterpart. New Delhi on Tuesday said, “Indian students in Tehran have been moved out of the city for reasons of safety, through arrangements made by the Embassy. Other residents who are self sufficient in terms of transport have also been advised to move out of the city in view of the developing situation. Separately, some Indians have been facilitated to leave Iran through the border with Armenia. The Embassy remains continuously in touch with the community with a view to extending all feasible assistance. Further advisories may be issued given the fluid situation.”
It added, “A 24x7 Control Room has been established in Ministry of External Affairs in view of the ongoing developments in Iran and Israel. The contact details of the control room are as under: 1800118797 (Toll free), +91-11-23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905, +91-9968291988 (Whatsapp) situationroom@mea.gov.in”. It also stated, “In addition, the Embassy of India in Tehran, Iran has set up a 24x7 emergency helpline with contact--For call only : +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109, For WhatsApp: +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709. ?Bandar Abbas: +98 9177699036, ?Zahedan: +98 9396356649 cons.tehran@mea.gov.in”.
With Israel and Iran raining a barrage of missiles at each other, India had on Monday said it is ensuring the safety of Indian students in Iran and is, “in some cases, relocating” them to safer places within Iran. In a statement in the early hours of Monday, New Delhi had also said that “other feasible options are also under examination”, an indication that perhaps evacuation first to some of Iran’s neighbouring countries through the land route and then eventually back to India is being possibly considered. Following the Israeli missile attack on Iran, panic had gripped hundreds of Indian students in Iran, most of whom are from Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, India had requested Iran for evacuation of its nationals to safer areas in response to which Iran has informed New Delhi that that land borders are open for evacuation.of Indian nationals. There are reportedly between 1,500 to 2,000 Indian students in Iran, many of whom are studying MBBS courses in Iranian cities such as the Capital Tehran apart from Shiraz and Qom. There were reports of some of the Indian students stranded in Tehran being moved to Qom after facilitation by the Indian Embassy.
In a statement early on Monday, New Delhi had said, “The Indian Embassy in Tehran is continuously monitoring the security situation and engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety. In some cases, students are being relocated with Embassy’s facilitation to safer places within Iran. Other feasible options are also under examination. Further updates will follow. Separately, the Embassy is in touch with community leaders regarding welfare and safety.”
The Iranian foreign ministry was quoted by reports as saying earlier on Monday, “Given the current condition and the closure of the country's airports, as well as the request of many political missions to transfer their diplomats and nationals abroad, we inform that all land borders are open for crossing.” According to reports, Iran has also asked the Indian government to give the names, passport numbers and vehicle specifications of the people crossing the borders to its General Protocol Department. It has also reportedly asked for the time of travel and the desired border, through which the person will exit the country, to make necessary arrangements for the safe travel of diplomats and other citizens.
Indian students studying studying medical courses in Iran told the media that they were in panic as Israeli misssile strikes were continuing unabated. “One blast happened just five kilometres from our hostel. Over 350 Indian students are enrolled here. We’re terrified”, Imtisal Mohidin, a third-year MBBS student at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, was quoted by media reports as saying, adding, “We were jolted awake by explosions at around 2:30 am on Friday and rushed to the basement. Since then, we haven’t been able to sleep.”
Indian nationals in Iran were earlier on Sunday asked not to panic, exercise due caution and maintain contact with the Embassy of India in Tehran through its social media accounts in view of the current situation in the country following the launch of strikes by Israel. In an advisory, the Indian Embassy in Tehran had asked all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the embassy's social media accounts and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities. The Indian embassy had provided a Google form on its X account and asked the Indian citizens to fill it out to provide their details. "Please remember, it is important not to panic, exercise due caution and maintain contact with the Embassy of India in Tehran," it had said. It had also provided a Telegram Link and asked Indian citizens to join it to receive updates on the situation from the mission. "Kindly note that this Telegram Link is only for those Indian Nationals who are currently in Iran," the Indian embassy had earlier posted on X.
