Chennai: A group of 345 Indian fisherfolk, most of them from Tamil Nadu, safely arrived in Chennai on Saturday evening after being evacuated from Iran amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The evacuation was carried out through a coordinated effort involving Indian diplomatic missions and neighbouring countries, ensuring the safe return of stranded citizens.
Evacuation via Armenia
The fisherfolk had been working in various parts of Iran when the conflict escalated. They were first moved from southern regions of the country to its northern border before crossing into Armenia.
The evacuation was facilitated with the support of Indian embassies in Tehran and Yerevan. After reaching Armenia, the group boarded a flight back to India, completing a complex multi-stage evacuation process.
Government acknowledges support
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar acknowledged Armenia’s assistance in the evacuation efforts. He expressed appreciation for the support extended by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and authorities in Yerevan for enabling the safe transit of Indian nationals.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal received the evacuees at Chennai airport upon their arrival.
Larger evacuation effort underway
Officials indicated that further evacuations are likely as tensions in the region continue. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, more than 1,150 Indian nationals have already exited Iran through land routes into Armenia and Azerbaijan since the conflict began on February 28.
Earlier, on March 15, another group of 70 Indians, including students from Jammu and Kashmir and pilgrims, had reached Delhi via Armenia.
At the onset of the conflict, around 9,000 Indian citizens were estimated to be in Iran, including students, seafarers, professionals, businesspersons and pilgrims. The government has since been facilitating their evacuation through neighbouring countries by arranging border access and coordinating onward travel.
Background of West Asia conflict
The current crisis began after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, citing security concerns. In response, Iran retaliated with attacks on Israeli targets and US military bases in the region, escalating tensions significantly.
Iran has also disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil transit route through which nearly 20 per cent of the world’s petroleum supply passes. The disruption has triggered concerns over a global energy crisis.
While Israel has claimed that Iran is nearing the development of nuclear weapons, Tehran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is intended for civilian use.
Conclusion
The safe return of 345 fisherfolk highlights the ongoing efforts of the Indian government to bring back its citizens from conflict zones. With thousands still in the region, evacuation operations are expected to continue, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in times of crisis.