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India Evacuates Over 2,200 Nationals from War-Torn Iran and Israel as Part of Operation Sindhu

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India Evacuates Over 2,200 Nationals from War-Torn Iran and Israel as Part of Operation Sindhu

In the shadow of exploding missiles, with cities under lockdown and sirens piercing the skies, the Government of India has quietly executed one of its most complex evacuation operations in recent memory. Over 2,200 Indians have been safely brought home from Iran and Israel as part of Operation Sindhu, a meticulously coordinated diplomatic and military effort.

The operation comes against the backdrop of rising hostilities between Iran and Israel—hostilities that escalated dramatically after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. While global powers traded warnings and warheads, India focused on what it does best in times of international crisis: getting its people out.

Diplomacy in Motion

Launched on June 19, 2025, Operation Sindhu was set in motion with clockwork urgency. It was built on the template of previous missions like Operation Ganga in Ukraine and Operation Kaveri in Sudan, but with added layers of logistical complexity due to simultaneous operations in two separate war zones.

India’s External Affairs Ministry and its embassies in Tel Aviv, Tehran, Amman, Cairo, and Yerevan worked in perfect harmony. Iranian airspace was partially closed, but reopened briefly to allow three chartered flights from Mashhad to take off. Simultaneously, Indian citizens in Israel were moved across land borders into Jordan and Egypt, from where military transport aircraft like the IAF’s C-17 flew them to safety.

The numbers speak for themselves: 2,295 Indians evacuated from Iran, 603 from Israel, and more flights in the pipeline.

Behind the Scenes: A High-Stakes Operation

In Israel, the atmosphere was tense. With missiles targeting civilian areas like Ramat Gan, Haifa, and Rehovot, the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv set up a 24×7 Control Room, fielding thousands of calls and emails. Families huddled in fortified safe rooms, waiting for updates that could mean the difference between life and death. Priorities were made clear—students, children, the elderly, and medical emergencies came first.

Each evacuation required sensitive diplomatic clearances, secure bus convoys, and military-level coordination. In Iran, where U.S. bombing raids had struck nuclear facilities, the risk calculus was high. Yet, the government pressed forward.

Union Minister L. Murugan personally received returning nationals at New Delhi airport—a gesture of empathy and assurance that the evacuees were not just numbers, but citizens deeply cared for.

India’s Global Identity: First Responder and Reliable Guardian

Operation Sindhu reaffirms India’s growing stature as not just a regional power, but a responsible global actor—one capable of an agile response even in geopolitically fraught situations.

The government’s quick activation of multi-country evacuation corridors—through Iran, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Jordan, and Egypt—was a masterclass in real-time crisis diplomacy. More importantly, it demonstrated a moral compass: no citizen would be left behind.

India has done this before—in Kabul, Kyiv, Khartoum—but Operation Sindhu is unique for its simultaneity and scale. The presence of over 40,000 Indian nationals in Israel, including caregivers, construction workers, students, and professionals, made the stakes even higher.

A Humanitarian Story Amid the Geopolitics

Lost in the headlines of missile strikes and ceasefires are the stories of individuals, like the young students flown out of Mashhad, or the caregivers crossing into Jordan under fire. For these evacuees, Operation Sindhu wasn’t a policy—it was a lifeline.

Their relief on landing in Delhi was tangible. It’s in their photos—tired faces breaking into cautious smiles, flags unfurled, phone calls made to families with a single word: safe.

The Government of India has pledged to continue these efforts as long as necessary. The embassies remain active, registration portals open, and aircraft on standby. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to receive real-time updates, the message from New Delhi remains clear: We don’t wait for safety—we create it.