Indian students studying medicine in Iran told the media that they were in panic as Israeli missile strikes were continuing unabated
Tehran: With Israel and Iran raining a barrage of missiles at each other, India on Monday said it is ensuring the safety of Indian students in Iran and "in some cases, is relocating" them to safer places within Iran. In a statement early on Monday, New Delhi also said "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. After 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 has already requested Iran for evacuation of its nationals to safer areas, in response to which Iran informed New Delhi that the land borders are open for the evacuation of Indian nationals.
According to reports late Monday night, India has initiated the evacuation of Indian students from Iran via the land border with Armenia. Several batches of students are reported to have reached areas near the Iranian-Armenian border.
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 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.
External affairs minister S. Jaishankar, meanwhile, spoke to his counterparts from the United Arab Emirates and Armenia on Monday. Both nations have excellent ties with India. Armenia has a land border with Iran while the UAE shares a maritime boundary with Iran. In a statement early Monday, New Delhi 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 the 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."
Meanwhile, the Iranian foreign ministry was quoted in reports as saying: "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 medicine in Iran told the media that they were in panic as Israeli missile strikes were continuing unabated. "One blast happened just 5 km from our hostel. Over 350 Indian students are enrolled here. We're terrified", Imtisal Mohiddin, a third-year MBBS student at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, was quoted as saying. He added: "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 Indian embassy 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 embassy in Tehran asked all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin to be vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the embassy's social media accounts and observe safety protocols as advised by the local authorities. The Indian embassy provided a Google form on X and asked 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 also provided a Telegram link and asked Indian citizens to join it to receive updates on the situation. "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.
