New Delhi, Mar 9: The National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), Nasir Khuehami, on Monday visited the Embassy of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India and the Iran Culture House in New Delhi to express condolences over the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
During the visit, Khuehami met Iran’s Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali and the Representative of the Supreme Leader of Iran in India Abdul Majeed Hakeem Elahi, conveying solidarity and sympathies on behalf of the Association.
On the occasion, Khuehami raised serious concerns regarding the safety of Indian students, including many from Kashmir, who are currently stranded in different parts of Iran amid the escalating conflict and continuing airstrikes.
He informed the Ambassador that the Association has been receiving numerous distress calls and messages from students and worried parents whose children are studying in cities such as Qom, Urmia and Arak. According to Khuehami, many students are anxious and frightened due to reports of explosions, airstrikes and the rapidly evolving security situation in several regions.
Khuehami urged Iranian authorities to extend all possible support to ensure the safety, protection and relocation of Indian students to secure locations until arrangements for their evacuation are made. He also stressed the need for coordinated efforts between the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs and Iranian authorities to facilitate the safe evacuation of Indian students at the earliest.
During the interaction, Abdul Majeed Hakeem Elahi informed Khuehami that efforts are underway to relocate foreign students from vulnerable areas to safer locations, including Qom. He said the authorities are in contact with concerned ministries in Iran as well as the Embassy of India in Tehran regarding the situation.
He added that around 500 students have already been relocated to safer places so far, a majority of whom are from Kashmir, in view of the prevailing security conditions.
Khuehami also conveyed that there is widespread panic among students, particularly in Qom and Urmia, due to continuous airstrikes and explosions in nearby areas. He requested the Iranian authorities to facilitate necessary permissions and coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Tehran to explore the possibility of evacuating Indian students at the earliest so that their families back home can find relief.
The Iranian Ambassador assured that the safety and security of Indian students remains a priority for Iranian authorities. He said the matter would be taken up again with the government in Iran to explore possible evacuation routes through neighbouring countries such as Armenia and Azerbaijan, depending on the evolving situation, while ensuring the safety of Indian students.
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