Jaishankar thanks Armenia as India evacuates fishermen stranded in Iran

India has begun the evacuation of stranded Indian fishermen and citizens from Iran via Armenia , with a flight expected to reach India, the government said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for their support in facilitating the transit of Indian nationals from conflict‑affected areas. This movement is part of a larger, sustained evacuation effort after the escalation of the West Asia conflict on 28 February 2026 , which disrupted travel and left thousands of Indians stranded in the region.

Many Indians went to Iran for work and livelihood , particularly fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Gujarat drawn by better fishing opportunities, higher catches and income compared to Indian waters. Tens of fishermen, especially from Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts of Tamil Nadu, remain stranded in Iranian coastal towns and aboard their boats as hostilities halted commercial travel back home. Nearly 600 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu are reported to still be stuck.

A group of 72 fishermen from Gujarat , mainly from the coastal district of Vapi’s Umargam taluka, have now departed Iran for Armenia after obtaining visas , marking a concrete step in their return journey.

Beyond fishermen, Indian students and other nationals from various states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and others, have been stranded across Iran , with many evacuated earlier via land border crossings into Armenia and Azerbaijan and flown home. Around 1,200 Indian citizens have exited Iran through these corridors so far, including students and other groups coordinated by the Ministry of External Affairs, as part of the ongoing repatriation efforts.

Apart from those directly stranded in Iran, people from other states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Punjab were affected by travel disruptions in the wider Gulf region due to the conflict. Over 500 residents from Andhra Pradesh stranded in various Gulf countries returned with assistance from state and community groups, while some smaller groups, like pastors in Bahrain, remain awaiting evacuation routes.

These evacuations are part of a broader Indian repatriation initiative that has seen over 6.2 lakh Indians return from West Asia since late February through a combination of special flights, transit corridors and diplomatic coordination . Missions and state governments continue to operate 24×7 helplines and control rooms to support citizens in distress and provide regular advisories.

The government also noted that some Indian nationals were injured in other conflict‑related incidents , including five people in Abu Dhabi due to missile debris; most have been discharged, and the Indian mission there is providing assistance.