Srinagar: More than 200 Indian students remain stranded at Iran’s border crossings, caught between slow-moving procedures and rising uncertainty. Many of them are from Jammu and Kashmir and had set out weeks ago, hoping to exit quickly as the situation in the region worsened.
Instead, they now find themselves waiting for days, even weeks, at transit points through Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Families say the burden has shifted onto the students. With no clear evacuation schedule, many have had to arrange their own transport to border points. They are paying for food, temporary shelter, and repeated travel, stretching family finances already under stress. Each delay adds new costs, and for many, savings are running out.
The situation at the Azerbaijan border remains the most difficult. Movement is slow, with only 8 to 20 students crossing each day. This has left hundreds waiting in long queues. Around 250 students from Kashmir alone are still stuck there, unsure when they will be allowed to cross. Several have already missed scheduled flights due to these delays.
Living conditions at the border are worsening. Students report limited access to food, poor accommodation, and almost no medical support. Many are staying in crowded spaces or out in the open. Some have developed chest infections and flu-like symptoms, raising concerns among families about their health and safety.
There has been some movement. In the past 24 hours, more than 150 Indian students have managed to cross into Azerbaijan. However, the pace remains too slow to clear the backlog quickly. In Astara, about 120 students are still waiting for exit clearance. Officials indicate that only around 100 may receive exit codes by March 31, leaving others uncertain about when they will be able to leave.
Students from cities like Kerman and institutions such as Shiraz University were expected to return between March 20 and March 25. Those timelines have now collapsed. Many are stuck mid-journey, dealing with delays, cancellations, and rising expenses.
The Indian government has said it is in touch with Iranian authorities to facilitate the evacuation. On the ground, families feel the response has not matched the urgency of the situation. They are calling for faster coordination and clearer communication.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan of the All India Medical Students Association said teams are working despite holidays like Nowruz and Eid. He expressed hope that if the current pace continues, most students could leave Iran by March 31. For families, that timeline still feels uncertain.
Amid the delays, parents are also pushing for a longer-term solution. Many have approached authorities seeking permission for academic migration, asking that students be allowed to continue their education in safer countries such as Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Germany.
For now, the wait continues. Students remain at border crossings, managing limited resources and holding on to the hope that their turn to cross will come soon.
