Amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, the Indian government has launched "Operation Sindhu" to safely evacuate its citizens from the region. In a coordinated effort between the Indian missions in Israel and Jordan, the first batch of 160 Indian nationals was successfully evacuated from Israel on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
The evacuation became necessary due to the closure of Israeli airspace and the suspension of commercial flights, posing significant challenges to the movement of people. Indian nationals living in Israel have been facing a precarious situation, with frequent air raid sirens forcing them to seek shelter in bunkers and fortified safe rooms from incoming missiles and drones.
Sensing the urgency, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv established a 24/7 control room to oversee the evacuation process. The control room facilitated the registration of Indian nationals through an online portal, creating a comprehensive database of citizens across Israel. Evacuation priorities were carefully determined, with preference given to medical emergencies, families with young children, women, and students. Embassy officials proactively contacted registrants via phone and email to confirm travel arrangements and allocate them to specific evacuation flights.
The 160 Indian nationals evacuated in the first batch gathered at designated assembly points in Tel Aviv and Haifa early Sunday morning. They were then transported by road to the Sheikh Hussein Bridge on the Israel-Jordan border, approximately 120 kilometers away. From there, they are expected to continue their journey back to India.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has stated that approximately 18,000 Indian nationals currently reside in Israel. The government has assured that it will facilitate the travel of those who wish to leave, utilizing land routes and air transport. The MEA has reiterated the government's commitment to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad, emphasizing that this is of utmost priority.
Prior to this evacuation from Israel, Operation Sindhu was already underway to bring back Indian citizens from Iran. As of Saturday, June 21, 2025, India had evacuated 827 citizens from Iran, with special flights organized from Mashhad in cooperation with the Iranian government, which eased airspace restrictions. The Indian Embassy in Tehran also extended assistance to citizens of Sri Lanka and Nepal, evacuating them upon requests from their respective governments.
The evacuation efforts are being closely monitored at the highest levels of the Indian government, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving real-time updates on the safety and security of Indian nationals. The Indian mission has emphasized that Operation Sindhu demonstrates India's unwavering commitment to its citizens abroad and highlights its emergence as a credible "first responder" in international crises.
The situation remains dynamic, and the Indian government continues to assess the needs of its citizens in both Israel and Iran, adjusting its evacuation strategy as necessary to ensure their safe return home.
