Tehran [Iran], June 21: Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, the Indian Embassy in Iran has announced that it will extend evacuation support to citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka, in addition to Indian nationals. This support is being provided following formal requests from the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Indian Embassy in Iran stated, “On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy’s evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover Citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka.”
[Post link: https://x.com/India_in_Iran/status/1936282218865082611]
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has launched Operation Sindhu, a coordinated mission to safely evacuate Indian nationals from Iran amid the deteriorating security situation triggered by the ongoing military conflict with Israel.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that as of June 21, 517 Indian nationals have been successfully evacuated from Iran under the operation. A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi at 3:00 AM IST, carrying evacuees from Iran.
“Operation Sindhu continues. A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi at 0300 hrs on 21st June, bringing Indians from Iran home,” Jaiswal posted on X.
The conflict between Israel and Iran, now in its ninth day, began after Israel launched a major airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites on June 13, an operation dubbed “Operation Rising Lion.” In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initiated “Operation True Promise 3,” targeting Israeli energy and fuel production facilities.
India has a long-standing record of conducting large-scale evacuation operations during international crises. Notable past missions include:
- Operation Kaveri (2023): Evacuation from Sudan
- Operation Ajay (2023): Evacuation during the Israel-Hamas conflict
- Operation Ganga (2022): Evacuation from Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine war
- Operation Devi Shakti (2021): Evacuation from Afghanistan post-Taliban takeover
- Operation Samudra Setu (2020): Sea evacuations during COVID-19
- Operation Raahat (2015): Yemen civil war
- Operation Safe Homecoming (2011): Libya evacuation during Arab Spring
Operation Sindhu adds to this legacy of India’s commitment to protecting its citizens—and those of partner nations—during global emergencies.