The mission was executed with support OF Indian diplomatic missions and in cooperation with several foreign governments.
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the successful conclusion of Operation Sindhu, a major evacuation effort by the Government of India to repatriate Indian nationals from conflict-affected regions of Iran and Israel, amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Launched on June 18, the operation facilitated the safe return of 4,415 Indian nationals — 3,597 from Iran and 818 from Israel — via 19 special evacuation flights, including three IAF C-17 aircraft. The mission was executed with coordinated support from Indian diplomatic missions and in cooperation with several foreign governments.
In addition to Indian citizens, the operation also rescued 14 OCI cardholders, 9 Nepali nationals, 4 Sri Lankan nationals, and one Iranian spouse of an Indian national. Over 1,500 women and 500 children were among those evacuated, highlighting the humanitarian urgency of the mission.
For the Iran leg, Indian embassies in Tehran, Yerevan, and Ashgabat coordinated land transfers across borders into Armenia and Turkmenistan on June 17–18. A key breakthrough came on June 20, when Iran reopened its airspace for evacuation flights upon India’s request. Between June 18–26, 15 flights from Yerevan, Ashgabat, and Mashhad brought Indian nationals—students, workers, professionals, pilgrims, and fishermen—from over 15 Indian states back to New Delhi.
The Israel phase began on June 23, with Indian embassies in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Amman, and Cairo facilitating safe land movement into Jordan and Egypt. From Amman and Sharm al Sheikh, 818 Indians were evacuated via four special flights (three operated by the IAF) between June 22–25.
The MEA confirmed that the evacuation was paused on June 25, following the reopening of regional airspace. Future operations will depend on the evolving security situation in the region.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Operation Sindhu reaffirms India’s steadfast commitment to the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad,” the MEA stated, while expressing gratitude to the governments of Iran, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Armenia, and Turkmenistan for their vital support.
Indian embassies in the region remain in close coordination with local authorities and the Indian diaspora to ensure continued safety, the statement concluded.