Chennai/New Delhi, 05 April (H.S.): A group of 345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran has been successfully evacuated and brought back to Chennai via Armenia, marking another milestone in India's ongoing repatriation efforts amid regional tensions.

Successful Evacuation Operation

The fishermen arrived in Chennai on April 4 after a coordinated transit through Armenia, facilitated by Indian diplomatic channels and local authorities. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed gratitude to the Armenian government and his counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for their cooperation in this rescue mission.

Official figures indicate that over 1,200 Indian nationals, including a significant number of students, have now been safely extracted from Iran since the operation began. These evacuations continue through Armenia and Azerbaijan, with Indian embassies working closely alongside regional administrations to ensure smooth execution.

Broader Repatriation Amid Tensions

Despite persistent instability in West Asia, limited flights from the United Arab Emirates to India remain operational, enabling large numbers of citizens to return home. Reports confirm that more than 624,000 passengers have arrived back in India from the region since late February.

The government remains vigilant, prioritizing the safety of its citizens as conditions in the area stay precarious, with sustained efforts to monitor and facilitate further returns.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar