India Safely Evacuates Over 4,400 Citizens from Iran and Israel Amid Regional Tensions

New Delhi: The Indian government has successfully evacuated 4,415 Indian nationals from conflict zones in Iran and Israel through a meticulously coordinated effort named Operation Sindhu, launched on June 18, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The operation, prompted by escalating tensions in West Asia, utilized 19 special evacuation flights, including three Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 aircraft, to bring citizens home safely.

From Iran, 3,597 individuals, including students, workers, professionals, pilgrims, and fishermen from over 15 Indian states, were evacuated. The operation involved coordination by Indian Missions in Tehran, Yerevan, and Ashgabat, with evacuees transported via land border crossings to Armenia and Turkmenistan. Special flights operated from Yerevan, Ashgabat, and Mashhad between June 18 and 26, facilitated by the Iranian government’s cooperation in easing airspace restrictions. The MEA expressed gratitude to Iran for its support in enabling these evacuations.

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In Israel, 818 Indian nationals, comprising students, workers, and professionals, were evacuated between June 22 and 25. Due to the closure of Israeli airspace, evacuees were moved by land to Jordan and Egypt, with flights departing from Amman and Sharm al Sheikh. Four evacuation flights, including three IAF C-17 aircraft, were used to complete this phase of the operation. The MEA noted that the reopening of airspace on June 25 led to a temporary halt in evacuation efforts, with future actions to be determined based on the evolving situation in the region.