New Delhi: As tensions escalate in the Middle East, Indian authorities have begun relocating Indian students in Iran to safer locations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Monday. The move follows growing concern among families, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, whose children are pursuing higher education in Iran.
Responding to a protest by parents in Srinagar on Sunday, the MEA issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in Iran.
“The Indian Embassy in Tehran is continuously monitoring the security situation and engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety,” said the MEA.
The ministry confirmed that, “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.”
Iran is currently home to over 4,000 Indian nationals, with around 2,000 students, most of whom are enrolled in medical and professional courses. A significant number of these students hail from Jammu and Kashmir, and many choose Iran for its affordable education and cultural familiarity.
Indian students are spread across key cities like Tehran, Shiraz, and Qom, some of which are considered more vulnerable in the context of recent developments involving Israeli military activity in the region.