How many Indians are stranded in Iran as Jaishankar raises concerns in Parliament

The MEA had issued travel advisories on January 5 and 14 this year, urging the avoidance of non-essential travel to Iran and advising Indians in Iran to leave via commercial flights and to stay alert.

• Around 9,000 Indians, mostly students, are stuck in Iran.
• Indian Embassy moved students to safer areas outside Tehran.
• No official Iran evacuation yet; some returned through Armenia.

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Amid escalating security concerns in West Asia, around 9,000 Indian citizens, mostly students, are stuck in Iran.

According to a report by Indian Express, most of them come from Jammu and Kashmir, while some are from Uttar Pradesh and other states.

They are mainly based in two Iranian cities — Tehran, which has faced intense attacks in recent days, and Qom, located about 150 kilometres from the capital.

Iran’s airspace remains closed following large-scale airstrikes by the United States and Israel that began on February 28. “Those requiring evacuation can be moved by land to neighbouring Armenia and Turkmenistan, from where they can be flown back to India,” a source told IE.

On March 3, the Indian Embassy in Tehran on Tuesday said it had relocated most Indian students from the capital to safer locations outside the city, arranging their transport, food and accommodation.

Earlier, in February, India advised all its nationals living in Iran to leave the country by all available means of transport, including commercial flights, in view of the evolving security situation.

The MEA had issued travel advisories on January 5 and 14 this year, urging the avoidance of non-essential travel to Iran and advising Indians in Iran to leave via commercial flights and to stay alert.

Another source told IE that no evacuation from Iran has been scheduled till now. “Several Indian nationals have returned through Armenia over the past few days, and some have chosen to stay back,” said the source.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday told Rajya Sabha that nearly one crore Indians live and work across Gulf nations, while several thousands of Indians are present in Iran for studies and employment.

However, he said many students have "disregarded" India's advisory and stayed back in Iran.

He told the House that 67,000 Indians have returned from the Middle East as India steps up efforts to ensure safety and closely monitors the escalating West Asia crisis,

Jaishankar also stated that "the Prime Minister continues to closely monitor the emerging developments, and relevant ministries are coordinating to ensure effective responses”.

According to IE, in June last year, during the 12-day Iran-Israel war, the Centre had launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from conflict zones in the two countries.

A total of 3,597 Indian nationals – including students, workers, professionals, pilgrims and fishermen – from more than 15 Indian states were brought back from Iran to India.