Amidst escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, India has successfully conducted "Operation Sindhu," a large-scale evacuation operation to bring home its citizens. As of June 27, 2025, over 4,400 Indian nationals have been evacuated from the two countries via 19 special flights, including three aircraft from the Indian Air Force. The operation, which commenced on June 18, 2025, was initiated in response to the intensifying conflict and the need to ensure the safety of Indian citizens residing in the region.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been closely monitoring the situation and providing regular updates on the progress of the evacuation efforts. According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the decision to launch Operation Sindhu was prompted by the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. The MEA estimates that approximately 10,000 Indian community members reside in Iran and around 40,000 Indian nationals are present in Israel.
The evacuation process has involved a series of special flights operating from various locations, including Mashhad, Yerevan, and Ashgabat. A fresh batch of 173 Indian evacuees from Iran arrived in Delhi on Thursday night, June 26, via a flight from Yerevan, Armenia.
The MEA has expressed its gratitude to the governments of Iran, Armenia, and Turkmenistan for their assistance in facilitating the evacuation. Jaiswal specifically thanked the Iranian government for opening its airspace to allow the evacuation flights to operate smoothly.
In addition to Indian citizens, Operation Sindhu has also facilitated the evacuation of some foreign nationals. According to the MEA, 14 OCI card-holders, 9 Nepali nationals, 4 Sri Lankan nationals, and 1 Iranian spouse of an Indian national were also evacuated from Iran as part of the operation.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghci, expressing appreciation for Iran's cooperation in ensuring the safe evacuation of Indian nationals.
Prior to the launch of Operation Sindhu, India had already taken steps to ensure the safety of its citizens in the region. On June 24, 2025, India welcomed reports of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, emphasizing its commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.
The successful execution of Operation Sindhu demonstrates India's commitment to protecting its citizens abroad during times of crisis. The operation has been lauded as a testament to the country's logistical capabilities and diplomatic efforts. Evacuees have expressed gratitude to the Indian government for ensuring their safe return home.
The MEA has stated that it will continue to assess the situation on the ground and take necessary actions to safeguard the interests of Indian nationals in the region. As of now, it is unclear whether Operation Sindhu will continue, especially after reports of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
