OPERATION SINDHU from Vajirao & Reddy Institute

OPERATION SINDHU

• In June 2025, India initiated 'Operation Sindhu' to evacuate its nationals from Iran due to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

• Launch: initial phases: June 17-18, 2025
• Objective: Ensure safety and facilitate evacuation of Indian nationals from conflict areas in Iran.
• Context: Worsening security due to ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, including missile and drone attacks.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• Indian Presence: Over 4,000 Indian nationals, approximately half of whom are students, reside in Iran.

• First Batch (June 17-19, 2025): 110 Indian students from northern Iran were evacuated by road to Armenia, then flown to New Delhi. Indian Missions in Iran and Armenia supervised the transfer.
• Ongoing Efforts: The Indian Embassy in Iran continues to assist nationals in moving to safer zones and arranging further evacuations.
• Iranian Cooperation: Iran notably eased airspace restrictions for Indian evacuation flights, making a humanitarian exception.
• Support Channels: Indian nationals are advised to contact the Indian Embassy in Tehran's emergency helpline or the MEA's 24x7 Control Room in New Delhi.
• Future Phases: The government is planning additional evacuation phases for other vulnerable groups.
• Broader Evacuation: India also requested its nationals to leave Israel concurrently, indicating a wider evacuation effort across the conflict zone.

• Complex Geopolitics: India navigates sensitive regional relationships due to the conflict.
• Transit Nations: Armenia, Turkmenistan, and Iraq are key neighbors with amicable ties, providing potential evacuation routes.
• Difficult Relations: India faces challenges with other bordering countries like Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan; lacks formal diplomatic ties with Afghanistan.
• Alternative Routes: The Persian Gulf route (via ships or Saudi Arabia/Kuwait) is also being considered.
• Diplomatic Leveraging: India is actively using its diplomatic relationships to facilitate safe evacuations.

• Highest Priority to Citizens' Safety: The Government of India consistently accords the "highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad."
• "No Indian Left Behind" Policy: Operation Sindhu reinforces India's global policy of "No Indian Left Behind" during crises, a cornerstone of its citizen-first diplomacy.
• Track Record of Evacuation Missions: India has a strong track record of successful humanitarian evacuation missions, including:
  • Operation Ganga (2022): Evacuation from Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
  • Operation Kaveri (2023): Evacuation from Sudan during civil unrest.
  • Operation Devi Shakti (2021): Evacuation from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover.
  • Operation Raahat (2015): Evacuation from Yemen.
  • Operation Sukoon (2006): Evacuation from Lebanon.
• Rapid Response Capability: These operations showcase India's robust crisis response system, logistical strength, and ability to protect its citizens in geopolitical flashpoints.
• Strengthening Diplomatic Image: Such missions significantly strengthen India's diplomatic image and soft power globally.