Indian Fishermen Express Gratitude for Safe Evacuation from Conflict-Hit Iran
Indian fishermen who were stranded in Iran during escalating tensions in the Middle East have returned home safely, expressing profound thanks to the Indian Embassy and government for orchestrating their evacuation through meticulous diplomatic coordination.
Emotional Homecoming at Chennai Airport
The fishermen arrived back in India on Saturday night, where they were warmly received at Chennai International Airport by Union Minister for Commerce Piyush Goyal. This homecoming marked the end of a harrowing ordeal for hundreds of Indian nationals caught in a volatile regional situation.
Rajesh Patel, a fisherman from Gujarat's Valsad district who had been working in Iran's Kiru region for four years, described the deteriorating conditions that forced their departure. "Things got quite chaotic over there recently. That's why we had to leave," Patel told news agency ANI.
He credited the Indian mission with providing crucial assistance: "The Indian Embassy provided us with a great deal of assistance in getting out. It would have been extremely difficult for us to leave on our own, but the entire Indian Embassy machinery set up support centres everywhere, in every state, so we were able to get out and return safely."
Perilous Conditions Before Evacuation
Another fisherman from Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district painted a vivid picture of the dangerous circumstances they faced before their rescue. "Per day, nearly 10 to 20 bombs fell before us. With great difficulty, holding our lives in our hands, we came here safely. We thank our government very much," he recounted emotionally.
The evacuation operation involved moving stranded nationals from Iran to Armenia before their final journey home to India, a complex logistical undertaking executed under challenging conditions.
Government Coordination and Prime Minister's Directives
Speaking at the airport reception, Minister Piyush Goyal revealed that the evacuation was conducted under direct instructions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with coordinated efforts by the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions abroad.
"Our Prime Minister gave instructions to the Foreign Ministry, and they worked very hard to move them from Iran to Armenia. From Armenia, we got some good people to support us in getting them back because they are very poor fishermen," Goyal explained.
He detailed the evacuation numbers: "In the first batch, 345 came. Today, 300+ came. The Prime Minister has always cared for all the people who are stuck in any crisis. This once again demonstrates how much he cares for our fishermen who were unfortunately stuck in the middle of the war in Iran. They have been brought out from right inside Iran."
Scale of the Rescue Operation
The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that over 600 fishermen have been successfully repatriated so far through this coordinated effort. Additionally, a total of 2,180 Indian nationals, including students and fishermen, were moved from Iran to Armenia and Azerbaijan for onward travel to India.
This large-scale evacuation highlights the Indian government's commitment to protecting its citizens abroad during international crises, particularly vulnerable workers like fishermen who often face heightened risks in conflict zones.
The successful return of these fishermen stands as a testament to effective diplomatic intervention and demonstrates India's capacity to execute complex rescue operations in challenging geopolitical environments.
