The recent escalation of conflict between Iran and Israel has prompted the Indian government to launch "Operation Sindhu," a mission focused on safely evacuating Indian nationals, primarily students, from the war-hit region. As tensions soared following aerial bombardments and retaliatory strikes, the sense of urgency grew to ensure the safety and well-being of the approximately 1,000 Indian citizens residing in Iran.
The evacuation efforts gained momentum with the arrival of the first flight carrying 110 Indian students in Delhi on June 19, 2025. These students had been evacuated from Urmia University in Iran, crossing over to Yerevan, Armenia, before being flown to India. The relief among the students was palpable, having endured a grueling 52-hour journey marked by uncertainty and anxiety. Many of them hailed from Jammu and Kashmir, with others from Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Further bolstering the evacuation efforts, a special flight carrying 290 Indian students, mostly from Jammu and Kashmir, landed in Delhi on Friday, June 20, 2025. The students expressed immense gratitude towards the Indian government for their swift action in bringing them home safely.
In a remarkable gesture of cooperation, Iran eased its airspace restrictions to facilitate India's evacuation efforts. Despite the ongoing regional hostilities, Iranian authorities granted special permission for three evacuation flights to operate, demonstrating the strong ties between the two nations. According to sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the majority of the evacuees were students and pilgrims who had been moved to Tehran from Mashhad. Iranian airlines operated the flights, with one arriving in India late Friday night and two more expected by Saturday afternoon.
As part of the evacuation, Indian citizens were relocated from Tehran to safer cities like Qom and Mashhad. The Indian Embassy in Tehran played a crucial role in supporting Indian nationals, assisting them in relocating from conflict-affected areas to safer locations within Iran. The evacuated students lauded the efforts of the Indian Embassy, acknowledging their support during the challenging times.
The evacuation process has been met with heartfelt appreciation from the families of the evacuated students and various organizations. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association expressed their gratitude to the Indian government, the Ministry of External Affairs, and all concerned authorities for their timely intervention and support.
The successful execution of "Operation Sindhu" highlights India's commitment to the safety and security of its citizens abroad. The coordinated efforts of the Indian government, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Embassy in Iran, coupled with the cooperation of Iranian authorities, have ensured the safe return of hundreds of Indian students from a region fraught with conflict and uncertainty.
