Union Minister Piyush Goyal Welcomes Indian Fishermen Evacuated from Iran at Chennai Airport
Union Minister Piyush Goyal personally welcomed the second batch of Indian fishermen at Chennai International Airport on Saturday, following their successful evacuation from Iran amidst ongoing conflict conditions in the region. The evacuation operation was executed under the direct instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with coordinated efforts by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian missions abroad.
Evacuation Details and Prime Minister's Directive
Speaking to reporters at the airport, Goyal elaborated on the meticulous rescue mission. "Our Prime Minister gave explicit instructions to the foreign ministry, and they worked tirelessly to relocate the stranded fishermen from Iran to Armenia as a safe transit point," Goyal stated. He emphasized that from Armenia, additional support was secured to facilitate their final journey back to India, noting the fishermen's vulnerable economic status.
"In the first batch, 345 fishermen were successfully repatriated. Today, we have welcomed more than 300 additional returnees. This operation underscores the Prime Minister's unwavering commitment to all Indian citizens caught in crises abroad, particularly our fishermen who found themselves trapped in a war zone in Iran," Goyal affirmed.
Coordinated Diplomatic Efforts and Returnee Demographics
Goyal highlighted the pivotal role played by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his team, who ensured the fishermen's safety from the onset of the conflict. "From the very first day of the war, Foreign Minister Jaishankar, a native of Tamil Nadu, and his team maintained constant communication with the fishermen, guaranteeing their security," he explained.
The evacuation process involved gathering the fishermen in Armenia before arranging their flight to India. Goyal expressed pride in the collective effort, stating, "They may hail from diverse regions of Bharat, but they are united by 'Mahabharat,' our national flag, and the solidarity of 140 crore Indians eagerly awaiting their return."
The returnees primarily originate from Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Kerala, and Puducherry. Fishermen from Tamil Nadu districts such as Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, and Mayiladuthurai were among those evacuated, alongside individuals from Valsad in Gujarat's Surat region.
Fishermen's Relief and Government Support
One of the repatriated fishermen, Silvester from Kanyakumari district, shared his profound relief upon returning home. "Now we feel safe and happy. Our Modi government has provided immense assistance; without their intervention, we could not have reached safety. They supported us extensively, even ensuring we received proper and decent meals during the evacuation," he told ANI.
To date, over 600 Indian fishermen have been safely repatriated from Iran, thanks to the concerted efforts of Indian embassies in Iran and Armenia. This evacuation not only highlights the government's proactive stance in safeguarding its citizens abroad but also reinforces the importance of diplomatic coordination in crisis situations.
