Iran-Israel Conflict: India Responds with Operation Sindhu

 

🚨Overview of Operation Sindhu

• Launched on June 18, 2025, by India’s Ministry of External Affairs to evacuate Indian citizens—primarily students—from Iran amid escalating Iran–Israel hostilities.

• The conflict began around June 13, 2025, when Israel struck Iranian nuclear sites, triggering retaliatory strikes and widespread instability in Iran.

---

✈️ First Evacuation Flight

• On June 17, about 110 Indian students (mostly from Urmia Medical University) crossed from northern Iran into Armenia via land routes, with coordination by Indian diplomatic missions.

• These students boarded a commercial indigo flight in Yerevan and landed in New Delhi in the early hours of June 19.

---

📊 Scale & Logistics

• Estimated 4,000 Indians remain in Iran, with around 50% being students.

• More evacuation flights are planned, including via Turkmenistan, supported by 24×7 embassy helplines and control rooms.

---

🌍 Operational Significance

• India’s diplomatic missions in Tehran and Yerevan are working together, using Armenia as a transit point for evacuees.

• Operation Sindhu follows the same approach as Operation Ganga in 2022, which airlifted over 18,000 Indians during the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

---

✅ Current Status & Outlook

• 110 Indians evacuated successfully so far, with no reported casualties or injuries under Operation Sindhu 

• Evacuations are ongoing; students and other nationals are being helped across borders and flown home in stages.

• India maintains active evacuation corridors via Armenia and Turkmenistan, and embassy assistance remains available 24×7 

---

🌐 Contextual Perspective

• The operation is a non-combatant evacuation effort in response to sudden military escalation between Iran and Israel.

• Similar to past Indian evacuation operations like Operation Ganga and Operation Sukoon, it underscores India’s rapid mobilization capacity and diplomatic coordination 

---

📌 In Summary

• What: Operation Sindhu – Indian-led evacuation mission for nationals from Iran.

• When: Commenced June 18, 2025.

• Who: Primarily students; initial batch of 110 evacuated; thousands still to be evacuated.

• Where: Landed first batch in Armenia, flown to Delhi; other routes via Turkmenistan in progress.

• Why: Reaction to rising military conflict following Israeli airstrikes in Iran.

🧭 If you're tracking loved ones or needing assistance, the Indian Embassy in Tehran and the High Commission in Yerevan are the primary contact points.