New Delhi, March 9: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) expressed deep concern for Indian students trapped in the ongoing crisis in the Middle East during a visit to the Iranian embassy and Culture House in the national capital on Monday. National Coordinator Nasir Khuehami conveyed condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and extended sympathies towards Iran.
During the meeting, Khuehami engaged with Iran’s Ambassador to India, Dr. Mohammad Fathali, and the representative of the Supreme Leader in India, Hujjat-ul-Islam Abdul Majid Hakim Ilahi. He raised alarms regarding the safety of Indian students, particularly those from Kashmir, amid ongoing conflicts and airstrikes in Iran.
Khuehami noted that the association has been receiving numerous calls and messages from students and their families expressing fear due to reports of explosions and air attacks in cities like Qom, Urmia, and Arak. He urged Iranian authorities to facilitate the transfer of Indian students to safer locations and coordinate with the Indian government for their swift evacuation.
In response, Hujjat-ul-Islam Abdul Majid Hakim Ilahi confirmed that the process of relocating foreign students from sensitive areas to safer locations has commenced, with approximately 500 students, mostly from Kashmir, already moved. He assured that there is ongoing communication with relevant Iranian ministries and the Indian embassy in Tehran regarding this matter.
Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Fathali reassured that the safety of Indian students is a priority for the Iranian government. He mentioned that, considering the current situation, options for potential evacuation through Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other border routes are also being explored.
Khuehami expressed hope that improved coordination between the Indian government, the Ministry of External Affairs, and Iranian officials would lead to the safe evacuation of students soon, providing relief to concerned families across the country.