Indian students in Iran are caught up in the current conflict between Israel and Iran. As the Israel-Iran war continues, the lives of thousands of students are at stake. According to MEA figures, there were 1063, 1020, and 1020 students studying in Iran in 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively.
MEA released a statement on June 17 – Indian students in Tehran have been moved out of the city for reasons of safety, through arrangements made by the Embassy. Other residents who are self-sufficient in terms of transport have also been advised to move out of the city in view of the developing situation. Separately, some Indians have been facilitated to leave Iran through the border with Armenia. The Embassy remains continuously in touch with the community with a view to extending all feasible assistance.
Yesterday, Ministry of External Affairs released a statement that the Indian Embassy in Tehran is continuously monitoring the security situation and engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety. In some cases, students are being relocated with the Embassy’s facilitation to safer places within Iran, according to MEA.
The Congress on Sunday claimed that more than 1,500 Indian students are left in a state of uncertainty in Iran and asked the Ministry of External Affairs to move beyond passive advisories to immediately establish a coordinated evacuation mechanism.
The Indian Embassy in Iran said that given the current situation in Iran, all Indian nationals & persons of Indian origin in Iran are requested to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassy’s Social Media accounts, and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities.
The embassy has urged Indian students in Iran to join their Telegram channel via the Link https://t.me/indiansiniran to receive updates on the situation from the Embassy.
Students in Iran have also been asked to provide their details at the link: https://forms.gle/cCLrLyzFkS2AZYEM8
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has also released the emergency contact details of the Embassy:
+98 9128109115;
+98 9128109109
For WhatsApp:
+98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709.
Bandar Abbas: +98 9177699036
Zahedan: +98 9396356649
Sanjay Laul, Founder of MSM Group shares his view on the escalating Iran-Israel tensions and the impact on Indian students
The safety of students is paramount and given the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, proceed cautiously and as a matter of urgency. It is strongly recommended that students keep themselves apprised of the latest developments through advisory information issued by the Indian Embassy as well as local authorities.
If universities espouse an online method of learning or simply suspend classes physically, then the students must seriously consider to relocate away temporarily to safer places or returning home if possible, till such time that the situation is well stabilized. With regard to academic continuance, deferment or a leave of absence, coordination with university authorities must be taken up at this time.
Iran has been an attractive destination for Indian students in disciplines such as medicine and engineering due to lower tuition fees, quality education in specific sectors and cultural familiarity.
Meanwhile, Israel has also risen to fame lately due to its high-technological research, cybersecurity and innovation. However, one might seriously reconsider the attractiveness of these lands because of geopolitical risks like the present crisis.
While we cannot yet state that interest in them has come to a halt, such conflicts are often long-term factors that sway student preferences to more stable geographies. Institutions and governments should, therefore, concentrate on setting safety nets, contingency plans and hybrid delivery options to shore up confidence among international students.