Operation Sindhu: India Evacuates Citizens Amid Israel–Iran Conflict
📍New Delhi | IP News
As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, the Government of India has launched “Operation Sindhu”, a multi-phase evacuation mission to bring Indian citizens home safely from the conflict zone.
Over the past week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the safe evacuation of more than 300 Indian nationals, including over 100 Indian students from Tehran, who were airlifted via Armenia in a coordinated effort led by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Embassy in Tehran.
The operation comes amid missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, airspace disruptions, and mounting security threats to civilians across the region.
Evacuation Highlights:
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Over 100 students evacuated from Iran via Yerevan, Armenia
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Flights arranged from Tel Aviv, Tehran, and third-party hubs
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Indian Air Force C-17 and civil aircrafts engaged in extraction
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MEA helplines activated in Iran, Israel, Armenia, and UAE
“We are in constant touch with all our citizens in the region. No one will be left behind,” said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Diplomatic Navigation Amid Escalation
Operation Sindhu is not just a logistical exercise, but also a diplomatic balancing act. While India has so far maintained neutrality, it has called for restraint and stressed the need to protect civilians and regional peace.
India’s diplomatic missions are coordinating with Israel, Iran, the UAE, Armenia, and international agencies to ensure safe transit routes, given that regular commercial flights over West Asia remain heavily restricted.
Strategic Implications for India
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Reinforces India’s non-alignment stance amid regional power rivalries
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Underscores the importance of diaspora protection in conflict zones
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Boosts India’s humanitarian credentials and soft-power image
Security experts have praised the operation’s speed and multi-lateral cooperation, comparing it to Operation Ganga(Ukraine) and Operation Kaveri (Sudan).
