Operation Sindhu: India evacuates over 4,400 citizens from Iran and Israel
India has evacuated 4,415 citizens from Iran and Israel under Operation Sindhu, launched amid rising conflict. The MEA confirmed 19 special flights, including IAF missions, and praised international cooperation. Further action depends on regional developments and ceasefire status
New Delhi: India has evacuated more than 4,400 Indian nationals from Iran and Israel through 19 special flights under Operation Sindhu, which was launched on June 18 amid escalating hostilities between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.
Among the evacuees were over 1,500 women and 500 children, according to the MEA. “The Government of India is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Operation Sindhu is yet another demonstration of this commitment,” the ministry said in a statement.
India expressed gratitude to the governments of Iran, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Armenia, and Turkmenistan for their support in facilitating the evacuation. Indian missions will continue to remain engaged with host governments and the Indian community across West Asia, it added.
A batch of 173 Indian nationals evacuated from Iran landed in New Delhi late Thursday night in a special flight from Yerevan, the Armenian capital. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on X, confirmed the updated number of evacuees: “As part of #OperationSindhu, a total of 4,415 Indian nationals (3,597 from Iran and 818 from Israel) have been evacuated through 19 special flights, including three IAF aircraft. Fourteen OCI cardholders, nine Nepali nationals, four Sri Lankan nationals, and one Iranian spouse of an Indian national were also evacuated from Iran.”
Most evacuations from Iran were conducted via Mashhad, after Iran opened its airspace on June 20 in response to India’s request.
Operation Sindhu’s Israel leg began on June 23, with Indian missions in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Amman, and Cairo coordinating the movement of Indian citizens through land routes to Jordan and Egypt. Between June 22 and 25, 818 Indian nationals, including students, workers, and professionals, were flown out of Amman and Sharm El Sheikh using four evacuation flights, three of which were IAF C-17 aircraft.
Evacuations were paused on June 25 following the reopening of airspace, though the government said further action would depend on the evolving situation in the region.
Notable evacuations included — June 20: First flight with 290 Indians landed in New Delhi; June 21: Second flight with 310 Indians arrived; June 25-26: Flights brought back 272 Indians and three Nepalese from Iran, and 594 Indians from Israel; June 24: Over 1,100 citizens were evacuated in one day; and June 26: 296 Indians and four Nepalese returned from Iran.
Tuesday’s evacuations included 573 Indians, three Sri Lankans, and two Nepalese. India welcomed reports of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on June 24, stating it remains “deeply concerned about prospects for sustained regional security” and reiterating its commitment to dialogue and diplomacy.
MEA spokesperson Jaiswal said India has approximately 10,000 citizens in Iran and around 40,000 in Israel. He confirmed one Iranian woman, the spouse of an Indian citizen, was also among those evacuated.
