As tensions between Iran and Israel continue to escalate, India has been actively working to ensure the safe return of its citizens stranded in the region. Operation Sindhu, launched last week, has been instrumental in bringing back Indian nationals from both Iran and Israel.

Under Operation Sindhu, a special flight carrying 285 Indian nationals from Mashhad, Iran, landed in Delhi late Saturday night. The passengers, hailing from states including Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, bring the total number of Indians evacuated from Iran to 1,713 so far.

Union minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita said on Sunday that the government plans to operate three more evacuation flights from Iran over the next two to three days. The passengers, hailing from states including Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, bring the total number of Indians evacuated from Iran to 1,713 so far.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been closely monitoring the situation and coordinating the evacuation efforts. According to the MEA, Iran lifted airspace restrictions on Friday to allow three evacuation flights from Mashhad. The first chartered flight from Iran carrying 290 Indians arrived in Delhi late Friday, followed by a second one with 310 passengers on Saturday afternoon. Another group was flown in from Yerevan on Thursday, and a special flight from Ashgabat landed early Saturday.

The recent escalation in conflict between Iran and Israel, including missile and drone strikes, prompted India to launch Operation Sindhu. The situation worsened further following US airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday morning.

Evacuation efforts have involved multiple flights from Iran's Mashhad, Armenia's capital Yerevan, and Turkmenistan's Ashgabat. In a special gesture, Iran opened its airspace to facilitate India's evacuation efforts. Students were earlier moved to Mashhad from Tehran, and the flights operated by an Iranian airline were coordinated by Indian authorities.

The evacuees have expressed their gratitude to the Indian government for their swift action and well-coordinated rescue efforts. Many shared emotional stories about their time in Iran, where they lived in fear and uncertainty as the conflict intensified.

India has also started to evacuate its nationals from Israel. The MEA has said that India will evacuate those Indian nationals "who wish to leave" Israel. "Their travel from Israel to India will be facilitated through the land borders and thereafter by air to India," it had said. About 18,000 Indian nationals are currently living in Israel. All Indian nationals have been asked to register themselves with the Embassy of India in Tel Aviv.

The Indian government has assured its citizens that their safety and security are of utmost priority. The MEA is working closely with the Indian embassies in Iran and Israel to provide assistance and facilitate the safe return of those who wish to leave.