Operation Sindhu: Over 2,000 Indians Repatriated Amidst Iran-Israel Crisis, Neighbours Also Rescued

New Delhi: In a significant humanitarian effort amidst escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, India has successfully evacuated over 2,000 of its nationals through a coordinated rescue campaign named Operation Sindhu. This large-scale mission, launched by the Ministry of External Affairs, demonstrates India’s commitment to the safety of its citizens abroad and also reinforces its regional solidarity by extending assistance to neighboring nations.

As per the official statement released by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on social media platform 'X', a total of 1,713 Indian citizens have been safely evacuated from Iran so far. The most recent flight landed in New Delhi at 11:30 PM on June 22, bringing 285 citizens from the Iranian city of Mashhad. These individuals were received by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, at the airport.

Simultaneously, the Indian Embassy in Israel coordinated the evacuation of 320 citizens via Jordan, out of which 160 were safely airlifted back to India on Sunday. The two-phase evacuation, routed through Tel Aviv to Jordan and then to India, was executed amid the deteriorating security scenario in the region.

Grateful returnees at the Delhi airport expressed overwhelming relief and gratitude towards the Indian government and the Embassy in Tehran. “We felt secure the moment we saw our national flag at the airport,” said one of the evacuees, struggling to hold back tears.

What sets Operation Sindhu apart from past evacuation missions is its inclusion of Nepalese and Sri Lankan citizens, based on special requests from their respective governments. The Indian embassies in Tehran and Colombo confirmed that Nepali and Sri Lankan nationals stranded in the conflict zones are being integrated into the evacuation process under the same mission. This diplomatic gesture reflects India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy in action.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo acknowledged this extension of support through a post on 'X', reaffirming India’s commitment to regional unity and humanitarian responsibility. Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Arzu Rana Deuba, also took to social media to thank Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, emphasizing the strength and reliability of India-Nepal bilateral relations.