Srinagar: Indian students stuck in war-torn Iran have found a way out through Armenia. Many faced a tough time crossing the Iran-Azerbaijan border, where about 200 students were denied entry due to a missing travel code. Dr. Momin Khan, president of the All India Medical Students Association (AIMA), shared that students were advised to take the Armenian route instead, as Azerbaijan was only allowing 10 students to cross daily.
The Armenia route has been more successful. Recently, 200 students from Shiraz and Isfahan made it through to catch flights back to New Delhi. Since last week, around 900 Indians, mostly students from Jammu and Kashmir, have safely exited Iran. According to external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, 882 Indians, including students and pilgrims, have crossed into Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Of these, 772 went to Armenia, while 110 entered Azerbaijan. Dr. Khan pointed out that after a brief closure, Azerbaijan has now resumed allowing students to cross, but in limited numbers.
In Jammu and Kashmir, many families anxiously awaited news. A mother of a fifth-year MBBS student, Asifa, explained how her son finally received the travel code and managed to cross the border after several days. “His ticket was canceled because of the delay, leading to financial losses,” she recounted, noting the stress of booking new flights.
Unlike the evacuation effort during Operation Sindhu last year, where India airlifted citizens from Iran amid violence, this time parents are responsible for arranging travel. Rising aviation costs due to the conflict have made flights unaffordable for some families, leading to hardships and loans for many. One parent spoke of their child’s reluctance to return due to high ticket prices. Thankfully, another parent stepped in to help cover the cost.
As many as 500-600 MBBS students still remain in Iran, Dr. Khan noted, but it’s expected that flights are now operating daily to bring them home. He mentioned that students have faced significant financial challenges, with over ₹30 lakh in ticket cancellations and meager refunds – for example, a ₹50,000 ticket returned only ₹10,000.
With the newly opened path through Armenia, students will be given visas upon arrival. However, they still need to book their own tickets to return home.
From this situation, it’s clear that the commitment of families and organizations like AIMA is crucial. Community support has proven vital in times of crisis, reminding us how interconnected we all are, especially during emergencies.
This evolving situation has caught attention on social media, with hashtags related to student safety and the repatriation process trending as families seek updates and support for their loved ones. The collective concern reflects the emotional weight carried by those affected by such circumstances. For ongoing updates, refer to the [Ministry of External Affairs](https://www.mea.gov.in) for trusted information.
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ARMENIA, MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT, INDIAN STUDENTS, AZERBAIJAN, THE DEVELOPMENT FOLLOWED AFTER OVER 200 STUDENTS AS REPORTED BY ETV BHARAT WERE DENIED ENTRY
