Relief as first batch of students returns home from war-torn West Asia
Direct flights to India are currently impossible due to the closure of Iranian airspace following intense military strikes. Consequently, the Indian government has designed a strategic extraction plan involving land transit through neighboring nations like Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Sunday morning marked a significant milestone as 70 Indian nationals, primarily students from Jammu and Kashmir, touched down at Delhi airport. This initial group traveled by bus from various Iranian cities to the Armenian border before boarding a commercial flight from Yerevan. After a brief transition in Dubai, the group finally reached Indian soil, ending a period of intense anxiety for their families.
Roughly 9,000 Indians remain in Iran, including a large population of medical students and pilgrims located in volatile areas like Tehran and Qom. Because of the ongoing hostilities involving Israel and the United States, the Ministry of External Affairs has been coordinating with regional embassies to facilitate safe passage. While the travelers covered their own airfare, the Indian government managed the complex logistics of bus transport and border crossings into Armenia.
Transitioning through international borders during a conflict presents unique hurdles. Some students initially faced delays with transit visas at the Armenian frontier. However, quick diplomatic interventions by Indian missions in both Tehran and Yerevan resolved these bottlenecks, allowing the evacuation to proceed. Similar arrangements are now being discussed with authorities in Baku to open an alternative corridor through Azerbaijan.
Nasir Khuehami, representing the Jammu & Kashmir Students Association, has praised the prompt response of the MEA but emphasised the need for a larger mission. He suggested that the current situation requires a dedicated rescue effort on the scale of previous operations in Ukraine. With thousands still waiting in cities under fire, the phased relocation remains a critical priority for the Indian government.
Upon arrival, the Jammu and Kashmir administration provided special transportation for those heading to Srinagar. While this first batch brings hope, the mission continues as more flights are expected to arrive in the coming days to bring the remaining citizens home.
With Inputs from Public Domain, Image: Siasat.com
