Amid Israel strikes in Tehran, India relocates its citizens, students in Iran

The external affairs ministry said that students are being relocated with the Embassy’s facilitation to safer places within Iran.

New Delhi: Indian authorities are relocating some Indian students in Iran to safer places. This decision comes in the face of continuing Israeli attacks. They are also exploring “other feasible options” to ensure the safety of Indians, the external affairs ministry said on Monday.

The Indian embassy in Tehran is “continuously monitoring the security situation”. It is engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety. The ministry issued a statement. This statement followed a protest in Srinagar on Sunday by parents of Indian students in Kashmir.

“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,” the ministry said.

The Indian embassy is in touch with Indian community leaders regarding the welfare and safety of Indians, the ministry said.

Also read: Israel Launches Preemptive Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities

Indian Nationals in Iran

Iran is currently home to more than 4,000 Indian nationals, about half of them students. Many of the Indian students in Iran are from Jammu and Kashmir. They are enrolled in medical and other professional courses. Kashmiri students usually opt for Iranian universities because of their affordability and similar cultural milieu. The students are spread across cities such as Tehran, Shiraz and Qom.

Dozens of people participated in the protest in Srinagar on Sunday, urging the government to evacuate Indian students from Iran. They said some of the students were in cities targeted by Israeli strikes.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said in a social media post on Sunday. He mentioned that he had spoken to external affairs minister S Jaishankar. Jaishankar is currently accompanying Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a three-nation tour of Cyprus, Canada and Croatia. They discussed the situation in Iran, especially the welfare and safety of Kashmiri students.

Abdullah said Jaishankar had assured him of a few things. The external affairs ministry is in close contact with its counterpart in Iran. It “will take all necessary steps to safeguard all Indian students in Iran”.

In a separate social media post, he stated that any decision to evacuate Indian students from Iran will depend on the ground situation. The safety and security of these students will be the primary consideration.” He added: “As a parent, I assure all the concerned parents. My government’s close and continuous attention will be on this important developing situation.”

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