The Government of India has initiated Operation Sindhu, a strategic evacuation effort aimed at safeguarding Indian nationals caught in the rising conflict between Iran and Israel. The move comes in response to rapidly deteriorating security conditions in the region, with the operation’s first phase focused on extracting Indian students from high-risk areas in northern Iran.
In its initial success, India safely evacuated 110 Indian students, who were guided out of Iran and across the border into Armenia on June 17. Under close coordination between Indian embassies in Tehran and Yerevan, the students traveled overland to the Armenian capital, where they boarded a special flight from Yerevan at 2:55 PM local time on June 18. They are expected to arrive in New Delhi early on June 19, according to an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Randhir Jaiswal, MEA spokesperson, shared the update on social media platform X, highlighting that India remains firmly committed to the safety of its citizens worldwide. “India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran. 110 students crossed into Armenia under the supervision of our missions and are en route to India,” Jaiswal posted.
The MEA press note also conveyed appreciation to the governments of Iran and Armenia for their timely support and logistical coordination during the operation. The note acknowledged their essential role in enabling the smooth movement of Indian nationals through active conflict zones to relative safety.
Operation Sindhu represents the first wave of a broader mission to relocate and repatriate Indian citizens from escalating conflict zones. The Indian Embassy in Iran continues to support those still in affected areas, helping move individuals to safer locations within the country. Future evacuations will be arranged based on situational developments and transportation feasibility.
In the meantime, the Indian government has issued a clear advisory to its citizens currently in Iran. Nationals have been urged to stay connected with the Indian Embassy in Tehran via the designated emergency helpline and also reach out to the MEA’s 24×7 control room in New Delhi for assistance or updates.
This high-priority operation underscores India’s unwavering commitment to protecting its diaspora in times of global crisis and reinforces its readiness to act swiftly when citizen safety is at risk.
