In News:

As tensions escalate in West Asia due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, the Government of India has launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals, particularly students, stranded in conflict-affected regions of Iran.

• The first flight under Operation Sindhu, carrying 110 Indian students, successfully landed in New Delhi, marking the beginning of the evacuation process.

What is Operation Sindhu?

Operation Sindhu is a government-led evacuation mission launched in 2025 to ensure the safe repatriation of Indian citizens from war-hit Iran.

• Launched by: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India
• Assisted by: Indian Embassies in Iran and Armenia

Objectives:

• To safely evacuate Indian citizens, particularly students, from volatile zones in Iran.
• To coordinate safe land-based exit routes through Armenia, due to restricted or dangerous air routes over Iran.

Key Features of the Operation:

Feature                                          Details

Evacuation Route             Northern Iran → Yerevan (Armenia) → New Delhi

Monitoring                             Real-time updates and continuous monitoring by Indian missions

Coordination                       Close coordination with governments of Iran and Armenia

Control Room                      24/7 MEA Control Room operational in New Delhi

India’s Major Air Evacuation Missions (Chronological Overview):

Mission Name                                  Year                Objective

Vande Bharat Mission             2020            Evacuation of Indians stranded abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic

Operation Devi Shakti             2021              Evacuation from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover

Operation Ganga                        2022             Evacuation from Ukraine amid Russia-Ukraine war

Operation Kaveri                        2023              Rescue of Indian nationals from conflict-hit Sudan

Operation Ajay                            2023               Repatriation of Indians from Israel amid regional conflict

Operation Sindhu                     2025               Ongoing evacuation from Iran amid Iran–Israel escalation

Significance for India

• Diaspora Safety: Reinforces India’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.
• Diplomatic Efficiency: Reflects India’s growing capabilities in executing rapid and complex evacuation logistics in volatile geopolitical environments.
• Soft Power and Foreign Policy: Enhances India’s global image as a responsible nation ensuring citizen welfare, even beyond borders.