Srinagar, Mar 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Tuesday sought urgent intervention from External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to facilitate the safe evacuation of around 200 Indian students, including many from Kashmir, stranded near the Azerbaijan–Iran border amid escalating tensions in the region.
National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said the students had travelled from various parts of Iran and reached the Azerbaijan border hoping to cross over for their onward journey to India. However, Azerbaijani authorities have reportedly closed the border and are neither allowing entry nor issuing transit permits, leaving the students stranded in distressing conditions.
Khuehami stated that students were earlier advised to book flight tickets in advance and submit their PNR details, following which they were to be escorted to the border in batches for coordinated transit. Acting on these instructions, many booked tickets for March 18, 19 and 21. However, with travel permissions yet to be granted, several students now remain stuck near the border, uncertain about their ability to board their scheduled flights.
He added that while the Armenia border had briefly opened earlier—allowing some students to travel onward to Delhi—many others continue to remain stranded at the Azerbaijan border despite holding valid flight bookings.
According to the Association, students are facing severe hardships, including exhaustion, illness and financial strain. Several are reportedly unwell and running out of essential supplies. Poor connectivity and limited facilities in the border area have made it difficult for many to stay in touch with their families, intensifying anxiety among parents back home.
Khuehami said families of the stranded students are deeply concerned as their children remain caught in uncertainty amid the evolving situation. The Association has appealed to the External Affairs Minister to urgently engage with Azerbaijani authorities and ensure that the students are granted transit permission at the earliest.
JKSA emphasised that swift diplomatic intervention and coordinated evacuation efforts are crucial to prevent further deterioration of the situation and to secure the safe return of all stranded Indian students.
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