India’s Operation Sindhu: 290 Citizens Repatriated from Iran
The Indian government launched ‘Operation Sindhu’ to safeguard its people and ensure their safe return home as the geopolitical conflict between Iran and Israel grew more intense. The situation in West Asia is always concerning, thus this operation offers a practical example of India’s “citizens first” philosophy.
Late Friday night, a special aircraft bringing 290 Indian nationals from Iran landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). Among the passengers who were eager to return home were many students and religious pilgrims.
1. India’s Action in Times of Crisis: The Announcement of “Operation Sindhu”
The stability of the region has been significantly damaged by the growing geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East, especially the recent military clashes between Israel and Iran. For the foreign residents, this tension created a dangerous and uncertain situation.
As the situation deteriorated, the Indian government took preemptive measures to plan for the protection of its residents and their return.
This very plan, known as Operation Sindhu, is being carried out by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Safely returning Indians who are stranded in war-torn Iran, Israel, and the neighboring territories is the primary goal. Religious pilgrims, workers, and students who were unable to return home because of the difficult situation are all part of this mission.
The purpose of Operation Sindhu was to establish a methodical and organized effort, not just to guarantee a speedy evacuation. The evacuation procedure entails collaborating with international partners, Indian embassies, and local governments to provide a seamless experience.
2. Welcome of the Third Special Flight in Delhi
This was the third flight to bring Indians home from Iran as part of Operation Sindhu. This charter plane landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) late on Friday night around 11:30 PM Indian Standard Time. The plane carried two hundred ninety Indian citizens, many of them were pilgrims who had visited sites of devotion and young students.(Operation Sindhu)
At the airport, travelers were greeted by Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs. This shows how dedicated senior MEA officials are to doing everything in their power to repatriate all Indian citizens.
3. Official Statement and Gratitude from the Ministry of External Affairs
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X (previously Twitter): “Citizens have returned home thanks to the Operation Sindhu flight.(Operation Sindhu) two hundred ninety Indians, including pilgrims and students, were evacuated from Iran by the charter aircraft.He continued: “This flight arrived in New Delhi on June 20 at 2025 hrs and was received by Secretary Arun Chatterjee.”
Jaiswal also conveyed the Indian government’s appreciation to the Iranian government for their collaboration in this process. Since such evacuation operations need coordination at the ground level and the utilization of another nation’s airspace, collaboration is essential to their success.(Operation Sindhu)
This declaration demonstrates India’s commitment to international cooperation in safeguarding the safety of its citizens and its appreciation of diplomatic ties.
4. People’s Response: A Wave of Emotion and Thanks
Upon arriving in Delhi, travelers conveyed their emotions, expressing the Government of India their profound relief and appreciation. Many travelers reported feeling “very scared” because of the “war-like situation” that is currently going on in Iran. They were worried by news of missile attacks, tension, and military operations in the Middle East.(Operation Sindhu)
One evacuee told the BBC, “We were very scared there.” This brief but powerful phrase captures the situation these people found themselves in. They added that Indian authorities cooperated well with them during the evacuation procedure.(Operation Sindhu)
They were kept updated on their journey, given the support they required, and had a safe return thanks to the embassies and the Ministry of External Affairs. This sentimental reaction emphasizes the importance of the Government of India’s Sindhu campaign,
which not only allows individuals to return home safely but also gives them a sense of emotional stability and familiarity.
5. Preparations for Repatriating Indians from Israel
the view of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the Indian government has also decided to repatriate people who are trapped in Israel as soon as possible, according to Arun Kumar Chatterjee.(Operation Sindhu)
He stated that discussions are underway with the Israeli government over this issue and that Indians will shortly be repatriated from Israel.
This implies that rather than limiting its rescue operations to a single country,
the Indian government is putting the safety of all Indians affected by regional crises first. The safety and evacuation of many Indian students, workers, and caregivers in Israel must also be guaranteed.(Operation Sindhu)
6. The Function and Difficulties of Evacuating Students from Jammu & Kashmir
According to him, the majority of Indian students, who are mostly from Jammu and Kashmir, were transported by land from Iran to Armenia and then flown back to India.This was because all Iranian ports and airports were either risky or completely inaccessible as a result of the conflict. “We cannot evacuate them overnight because no airport is open,(Operation Sindhu)
This demonstrates that in order to ensure maximum safety, the evacuation operation uses a variety of intricate logistics, such as a combination of air and land travel. According to Abdullah, between 300 and 400 more students would be arriving, the most of whom are from Jammu and Kashmir. “We will bring them safely home, and there is a feeling of hope all around,” he stated.(Operation Sindhu)