India has successfully evacuated over 4,400 nationals from Iran and Israel through 19 special flights conducted under Operation Sindhu, which was initiated on June 18 amidst an ongoing conflict between the two nations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This evacuation included more than 1,500 women and 500 children, as noted in a statement released by the MEA.
The government emphasized its unwavering commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad. “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Operation Sindhu reaffirms this commitment,” the MEA stated. They also expressed gratitude to the governments of Iran, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Armenia, and Turkmenistan for their support during this operation, highlighting that Indian diplomatic missions will continue collaborating with host governments and the Indian communities in the affected regions.
Recently, a flight carrying 173 individuals evacuated from Iran arrived in Delhi late Thursday, traveling from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Responding to questions about Operation Sindhu in a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned that New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation on the ground and future actions will be based on current assessments. So far, over 3,400 Indian nationals have been brought back from Iran since the operation’s launch, with further updates provided via the MEA’s communications.
As part of #OperationSindhu, a total of 4,415 individuals have been evacuated, with 3,597 coming from Iran and 818 from Israel. Additionally, the operation brought back 14 OCI card-holders, 9 Nepali nationals, 4 Sri Lankans, and 1 Iranian spouse of an Indian citizen.
On June 24, in light of reports of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, the Indian government expressed its deep concern about regional security and stability, while stating that India is prepared to play a role in resolving the situation through dialogue and diplomacy.
When questioned about whether Operation Sindhu would continue following the ceasefire, Jaiswal confirmed that around 10,000 Indian nationals are in Iran and approximately 40,000 in Israel, underscoring the scale of the operation. Most evacuations were facilitated through Mashhad, with Iran opening its airspace for these flights on June 20 at India’s request.
The Israel segment of Operation Sindhu began on June 23, with Indian missions coordinating the movement of nationals through land borders to Jordan and Egypt. A total of 818 Indians were evacuated from various locations between June 22-25, utilizing four special flights, including three C-17 aircraft from the Indian Air Force.
After the reopening of airspace, evacuation efforts were paused on June 25, with future actions dependent on the evolving situation in the region. On June 26, a special flight carrying 272 Indians and three Nepalese from Iran arrived in Delhi just past midnight. Recent efforts included evacuations of 296 Indian citizens and four Nepalese the day prior.
The operation has catered to a diverse group of individuals, including professionals, students, and workers, amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, which has seen each country targeting the other’s infrastructure with missiles and drones. Tensions reached a peak following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites on June 22.
Earlier flights had brought back significant numbers, including 290 Indians on June 20 and 310 the following day. Instead of individual trips from Israel, a larger flow of returnees has been coordinated through neighboring countries, showcasing the comprehensive efforts of Indian authorities to ensure the safety of its citizens in a volatile environment.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/over-4400-indian-nationals-evacuated-from-iran-israel-in-19-special-flights-so-far-mea-13901177.html
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Publish Date: 2025-06-29 00:37:00
