Operation Sindhu Successfully Brings Over 4,000 Indians Home
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently provided an update on Operation Sindhu, an emergency evacuation mission launched on June 19, 2025, aimed at rescuing Indian nationals caught amid escalating conflicts in West Asia, particularly in Iran and Israel.
Massive Evacuation Efforts Amid Rising Tensions
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal revealed that approximately 10,000 Indians reside in Iran and about 40,000 in Israel. So far, the operation has successfully evacuated 3,426 Indian nationals along with 11 OCI cardholders and several Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals from Iran. Additionally, one Iranian citizen married to an Indian national was also evacuated. These efforts were carried out over 14 special flights departing from Iranian cities like Mashhad, as well as from Yerevan in Armenia and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Complex Routes Due to Restricted Airspace in Israel
On the Israel front, 818 Indians were evacuated through four flights. Due to Israel’s closed airspace resulting from ongoing conflicts, Indians were first transported to neighboring countries Jordan and Egypt. From there, dedicated flights flew them back to India. The MEA extended sincere gratitude to the governments of Egypt, Jordan, and Israel for their collaboration and support during this complex operation.
Collaborative International Support Streamlines Rescue
Coordination among Indian embassies in Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, alongside MEA headquarters in New Delhi, played a crucial role in the success of Operation Sindhu. Furthermore, the government of Iran was appreciated for temporarily opening their airspace to facilitate evacuations, alongside Armenia and Turkmenistan’s support for transit arrangements.
Jaiswal added that one final flight from Armenia was expected to arrive later in the evening, marking the conclusion of evacuations for those wishing to return from Iran.
Operation Sindhu Reflects India’s Commitment to Its Diaspora
This large-scale operation underscores India's unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad, especially in volatile regions. The successful retrieval of thousands highlights effective diplomatic coordination and logistical planning under challenging circumstances.
