Leaders of student groups from Jammu and Kashmir have appealed to the Indian government to facilitate the evacuation of around 1,200 Kashmiri students currently studying in Iran as tensions escalate in the region.
Nasir Khuehami, founding director of the J&K Centre for Peace, Research and Sustainable Development, said parents are deeply anxious after losing contact with their children. Speaking on Sunday, he said many families have been unable to speak with their sons and daughters for the past two days. “The parents are concerned about their children and are hopeful Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take steps to ensure their safe return,” Khuehami said.
According to Khuehami, nearly 3,000 Indian students are pursuing medical degrees in Iran, of whom about 2,000 are from Jammu and Kashmir. Around 1,200 Kashmiri students are believed to remain in Tehran. He recalled that during the Israeli-US strikes on Iran in June 2025, the Indian authorities had arranged for the safe return of students. He expressed confidence that similar measures would be taken during the current crisis.
Last week, the Embassy of India in Tehran issued an advisory urging Indian nationals to return home using available travel options. However, Khuehami said many students were unable to leave because they were preparing for semester examinations scheduled to begin on March 1.
Iran has long been a preferred destination for many students from Jammu and Kashmir due to relatively affordable tuition fees and cultural familiarity. Students often cite similarities in dress, food, and social customs as reasons for choosing Iranian institutions.
Apart from Kashmiri students, there are also Indian nationals from states including Karnataka, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh studying in Iran. Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, said the state government had set up a helpline to assist Kannadigas stranded in the region. Posting on X, he said the government was treating the safety of residents in the Middle East, including Israel, the UAE, Iran, and Qatar, with utmost seriousness.
He said consultations had been held with the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi and that proactive steps were being taken to safeguard those affected. Siddaramaiah urged families not to panic if communication with loved ones was temporarily disrupted, assuring them that coordinated efforts were underway in liaison with relevant authorities.
As uncertainty continues, families across Jammu and Kashmir remain hopeful that swift diplomatic intervention will ensure the safe return of students caught in the unfolding crisis.
