AndrewJordan at 03:45, 21 April 2026

2026-04-21T03:45:00Z

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{{Short description|Evacuation of Indians from Iran}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox operational plan
| name = Operation Sindhu
| partof = the [[Twelve-Day War]]
| scope = Humanitarian relief
| planned_by = [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]]
| objective = Evacuation of Indian nationals from [[Iran]]
| date = {{Start date|2025|06|18|df=y}} {{en dash}} 27 June 2025
| executed_by = [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]]
| outcome = 4,429 people evacuated
| fatalities = None
| injuries = None
}}
The '''Operation Sindhu''' is an evacuation operation launched by India to evacuate Indian nationals from [[Iran]] following the escalation of the [[Twelve-Day War]].<ref>{{Cite web |title='অপারেশন সিন্ধু' |url=https://www.aaroananda.com/story/latest-news/breaking-news/india-launches-operation-sindhu-to-evacuate-indian-nationals-from-iran-june-18-2025/10722740 |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=aaroananda.com |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2025 |title=India launches 'Operation Sindhu' as it evacuates Indian students stranded in Iran |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iranisrael-tensions-india-launches-operation-sindhu-as-it-evacuates-indian-students-stranded-in-iran-101750259481690.html |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=India Launches 'Operation Sindhu' To Rescue Stranded Citizens From War-Hit Iran |url=https://www.news18.com/india/india-launches-operation-sindhu-to-rescue-stranded-citizens-from-war-hit-iran-9392636.html |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Anirban Bhaumik |title=Operation Sindhu: India Begins Evacuation from Israel Amid Iran Conflict Escalation |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/under-operation-sindhu-india-to-evacuate-its-nationals-from-israel-amid-escalating-tension-with-iran-3593957 |website=Deccan Herald |access-date=20 June 2025 |language=en-in}}</ref>

== Background ==
On 13 June, [[Israel]] struck Iranian nuclear sites across [[Iran]], prompting response from [[Iran]]. This marked a major escalation and the beginning of the [[Twelve-Day War]]. Both countries launched missile and drone strikes upon one another resulting in Indian students becoming stuck in the midst of the conflict.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 June 2025 |title=Israel-Iran conflict: 'We are scared', Indian students desperately await evacuation; 110 already rescued |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-iran-conflict-we-are-scared-indian-students-desperately-await-evacuation-110-already-rescued/articleshow/121910468.cms |access-date=18 June 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Routes ==
The first 110 Indian students were evacuated to [[Armenia]]. The [[Government of India]] expressed gratitude to Armenia for their assistance in the process.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2025 |title=India launches Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran (June 18, 2025) |url=https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/39693/India_launches_Operation_Sindhu_to_evacuate_Indian_nationals_from_Iran_June_18_2025 |website=Ministry of External Affairs Government of India}}</ref>

== Operation ==
There are thousands of Indian nationals in Iran. The number of students being estimated 1,500-2,000 and thousands of professionals, workers, maritime personnel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Huma |date=18 June 2025 |title=Operation Sindhu To Evacuate Indian Nationals From Iran Is Underway |url=https://stratnewsglobal.com/world-news/first-evacuation-flight-from-iran-expected-to-land-in-delhi-tonight/ |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=StratNews Global |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 June 2025 |title=India launches Operation Sindhu to evacuate its nationals from Iran |url=https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/india-launches-operation-sindhu-to-evacuate-its-nationals-from-iran-125061801269_1.html |work=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref>

As the first step of the operation, India has already evacuated 110 Indians and assisted them onto entering [[Armenia]]. The commercial aircraft operated by [[IndiGo]], which took it's departure on 18 June from [[Yerevan]], Armenia, is scheduled to land in [[New Delhi]] by the early hours of 19 June.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Huma |date=18 June 2025 |title=Operation Sindhu To Evacuate Indian Nationals From Iran Is Underway |url=https://stratnewsglobal.com/world-news/first-evacuation-flight-from-iran-expected-to-land-in-delhi-tonight/ |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=StratNews Global |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2025 |title=India launches Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran (June 18, 2025) |url=https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/39693/India_launches_Operation_Sindhu_to_evacuate_Indian_nationals_from_Iran_June_18_2025 |website=Ministry of External Affairs Government of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2025 |title=India launches Operation Sindhu to evacuate nationals from Iran |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-launches-operation-sindhu-to-evacuate-nationals-from-iran-amid-conflict-with-israel-2742751-2025-06-18 |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sharma |first1=Sheenu |last2=News |first2=India TV |date=18 June 2025 |title=Operation Sindhu: India begins evacuation of Indian nationals from Iran amid rising Israel-Iran tensions |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/operation-sindhu-india-begins-evacuation-of-indian-nationals-from-iran-amid-rising-israel-iran-war-tensions-and-conflicts-2025-06-18-995252 |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=India TV News |language=en}}</ref>

On 19 June, [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|MEA]] announced their extension of Operation Sindhu by preparing the evacuation of India citizens from [[Israel]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 June 2025 |title=Operation Sindhu - Evacuation of Indian nationals from Israel |url=https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/39700/Operation_Sindhu__Evacuation_of_Indian_nationals_from_Israel |website=Ministry of External Affairs Government of India}}</ref>

On late 20 June, 290 students mostly from [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] arrived at Delhi Airport. Two more flights were scheduled to bring 1,000 Indians by the next day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=20 June 2025 |title=Operation Sindhu: 290 Indian students return from Iran, land in Delhi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/operation-sindhu-indian-students-return-from-iran-to-delhi/article69719278.ece |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 June 2025 |title=Flight carrying 290 Indian students from Iran lands in Delhi, two more expected later today |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/flight-carrying-290-indians-stranded-in-iran-lands-in-delhi-two-more-expected-later-today-101750468771942.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250621182657/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/flight-carrying-290-indians-stranded-in-iran-lands-in-delhi-two-more-expected-later-today-101750468771942.html |archive-date=21 June 2025 |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 21 June, two flights arrive in Delhi, evacuating hundreds of Indian students from Iran, the first flight arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport at 4:30 PM on Saturday and the second plane arrived later that day, 827 Indian students were evacuated by 21 June. Nepali and Sri Lankan students were also evacuated by India.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhattacherjee |first=Kallol |date=21 June 2025 |title=Operation Sindhu continues amid Iran-Israel conflict; 827 Indians evacuated so far: MEA |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/operation-sindhu-517-indian-nationals-brought-back-from-iran-so-far-says-mea/article69720348.ece |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> 162 Indian nationals were on the way to India from Israel.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 June 2025 |title=Operation Sindhu: Flight with 285 evacuees from Iran lands in Delhi; 3 more evacuation planned |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/operation-sindhu-flight-with-285-evacuees-from-iran-lands-in-delhi-3-more-evacuation-planned/articleshow/122011753.cms |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

On 22 June, a flight arrived at Delhi with 285 Indians, by adding to 1,713 Indians evacuated by the eighth batch.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 June 2025 |title=Operation Sindhu: Flight with 285 evacuees from Iran lands in Delhi; 3 more evacuation planned |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/operation-sindhu-flight-with-285-evacuees-from-iran-lands-in-delhi-3-more-evacuation-planned/articleshow/122011753.cms |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

On 23 June, 161 Indians had been evacuated from Israel and expected to arrive by 24 June.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 June 2025 |title=Operation Sindhu: First batch of 160 Indians evacuated from Israel through Jordan |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/operation-sindhu-indians-evacuated-from-israel-israel-iran-conflict-jordon-indian-embassy-2744709-2025-06-23 |access-date=23 June 2025 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> A total of 603 students taken out from Israel in two days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=23 June 2025 |title=Operation Sindhu: Second Batch Of 443 Indians Leave From Israel Through Jordan, Egypt In 2 Flig |url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/operation-sindhu-second-batch-of-443-indians-leave-from-israel-through-jordan-egypt-in-2-flights-1782484 |access-date=23 June 2025 |website=news.abplive.com |language=en}}</ref>

On 24 June, 1,100 Indians from Iran and Israel arrived in India, by far evacuating 3,170 students.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=24 June 2025 |title=Operation Sindhu: India evacuates over 3,100 Indians from Iran, Israel |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/operation-sindhu-2576-indian-nationals-have-now-been-brought-home-from-iran-says-mea/article69732507.ece |access-date=24 June 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:2025 in aviation]]
[[Category:2025 in international relations]]
[[Category:June 2025 in India]]
[[Category:Evacuations of Indians]]
[[Category:Humanitarian military operations involving India|Sindhu]]
[[Category:Non-combatant evacuation operations|Sindhu]]
[[Category:Reactions to the Twelve-Day War]]
[[Category:Aviation history of India]]
[[Category:Modi administration]]
[[Category:Airlifts]]
[[Category:Armenia–India relations]]
[[Category:India–Iran relations]]
[[Category:India–Israel relations]]

Operation Sindhu - Revision history

AndrewJordan at 03:45, 21 April 2026