Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, primarily due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, India has assured Nepal that it will extend its evacuation operations to include Nepali citizens stranded in Iran. This decision, made on June 21, 2025, comes in response to a formal request from the Government of Nepal, highlighting the close ties and mutual support between the two nations. Sri Lanka has also requested assistance from India to evacuate its citizens from Iran.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has announced that its evacuation efforts, conducted under "Operation Sindhu," will now also encompass citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka. This operation was initiated to safely bring home Indian nationals from Iran, given the deteriorating security situation in the region following Israel's "Operation Rising Lion," which reportedly targeted Iran's nuclear ambitions, and the subsequent retaliatory actions from Tehran.
The Indian Embassy has urged Nepali and Sri Lankan citizens in Iran to urgently contact the embassy through a dedicated Telegram channel or via emergency contact numbers: +989010144557, +989128109115, and +989128109109. This swift response underscores India's commitment to aiding its neighboring countries in times of crisis.
Nepal's Minister, Dr. Rana, confirmed that there are currently 16 Nepali citizens in Iran. She requested the Indian government, through Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava, to include these citizens in their rescue efforts. She also directed Nepal's Ambassador to India, Dr. Shankar Sharma, to coordinate closely with Indian authorities on this matter. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Nepal has already reached out to the Nepali citizens in Iran, advising them to contact the Indian Embassy. According to MoFA Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudyal Kshetri, coordination is ongoing with the Nepalis in Iran and with Rakhee Mayuri, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy. It is worth noting that five of the sixteen Nepalis are in custody due to immigration-related issues, and the Ministry is working to secure their release and facilitate their return home.
As of June 21, 2025, India has already evacuated 517 of its citizens from Iran under Operation Sindhu. A special flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, arrived in New Delhi, bringing Indians home. Prior to this, 290 Indian students, mostly from Jammu and Kashmir, were safely evacuated from Mashhad after Iran temporarily reopened its airspace. To facilitate the evacuation of approximately 1,000 Indian nationals, mainly students, Iran has lifted airspace restrictions for three charter flights.
India's proactive role in assisting Nepal and Sri Lanka demonstrates its growing humanitarian footprint in the region. By extending Operation Sindhu to include citizens of these neighboring countries, India is not only ensuring the safety of its own citizens but also reaffirming its commitment to regional cooperation and support during times of crisis. This gesture of goodwill is expected to further strengthen the bonds between India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
