New Delhi: India has successfully evacuated over 1,400 nationals from Iran amid intensifying conflict in West Asia, as part of the government’s emergency evacuation mission — Operation Sindhu. The mission was launched on Wednesday in response to the escalating military confrontation between Iran, Israel, and now the United States.
On Sunday, a Mahan Air flight carrying 280 Indian citizens — mostly students — landed safely at Delhi airport, marking yet another phase of the evacuation effort. In total, 1,428 Indians have been brought back from Iran over the past few days, with multiple special flights arranged from Mashhad.
The evacuation follows a significant escalation in the region, after US President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — in what he described as a “very successful attack.” The move has sparked heightened military activity and fear of a broader conflict across the Middle East.
Evacuees arriving in India have praised the government’s swift response. Fazal Abbas, one of the returnees from Lucknow, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hailed the Centre’s efforts. “We used to hear that PM Modi considers everyone as his family. Today, I’ve seen it for myself. We were rescued from the remotest corners of Iran and brought back home safely,” he told news agency ANI.
Operation Sindhu has seen coordinated efforts between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian Embassy in Iran, and Iranian authorities. Two flights carrying over 280 and 311 Indians respectively landed in New Delhi on Sunday. Prior to that, on Saturday, two more Mahan Air flights carrying Indian students from Iran had arrived at the Delhi airport.
Providing an update, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “290 Indian nationals have returned home safely from Iran on a special flight from Mashhad that landed in New Delhi at 11:30 PM on 21 June. With this, 1,117 Indian nationals have been evacuated from Iran.”
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, in an official statement, extended heartfelt thanks to the Indian government for the rescue of students, many of whom were studying in Iranian universities and stranded amid conflict. “These students, who endured days of distress in a war zone, have returned to the safety of their homeland and into the warm embrace of their waiting families, especially in Kashmir,” the statement read.
The association praised the government, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Embassy in Iran for their “tireless efforts, swift action, and exceptional coordination” in ensuring a safe and timely evacuation.
As the Iran-Israel conflict enters its 11th day with ongoing missile exchanges, the region has become increasingly volatile. The entry of the US into the conflict, with direct strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, marks a dangerous new phase of escalation.
India’s decision to act swiftly with Operation Sindhu highlights its commitment to the safety of its citizens abroad. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely, with further evacuations on standby should the crisis deepen.
