Operation Sindhu: Humanitarian Mission to Bring Back Stranded Indians Home.
18 June 2025, the Government of India has once again proved that when it comes to the safety of its citizens, the country leaves no stone unturned. This evacuation operation, named “Operation Sindhu”, is a strong example of the same, which aims to bring back Indian citizens, especially students, stranded in Iran, safely amid the escalating war between Iran and Israel.
AVI |NEW DELHI |22/06/2025 AT 11:00 AM
What is Operation Sindhu?
Operation Sindhu is a humanitarian evacuation mission launched by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, which was implemented on 18 June 2025. The biggest priority of this mission was to safely evacuate the Indian students stranded in the northern part of Iran, who were in a very unsafe situation amid war and attacks.
Under this operation, 110 students were evacuated from Iran in the first batch, who were brought to India from Yerevan (Armenia) by a special flight. All these students arrived safely at New Delhi airport on the morning of 19 June.
Mission Background
The tension between Iran and Israel escalated into an armed conflict in June 2025, leading to missile and drone attacks on several cities. The crisis put not only the locals but also foreign nationals living there for studies or work in trouble. Meanwhile, Indian students and citizens living in Iran were very scared, and were expecting help from the Indian government.
How was Operation Sindhu conducted?
The Indian government, realizing the gravity of the situation, planned immediate action on 17 June itself. The Indian Embassy in Iran safely evacuated the students from northern Iran to the border of Armenia. From there all these students reached Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
After this, these 110 Indian students were sent off on the evening of 18 June by a special flight sent by the Government of India and they reached India on the morning of 19 June. All this happened in a very quick and organized manner.
Main objectives of Operation Sindhu
This mission had several key objectives, which directly reflect India’s civil-security policy, diplomatic prowess and global responsibility:
1. Ensuring the safety of Indian citizens:
Protecting the lives of Indians trapped in the war zone by promptly evacuating them to safety.
2. Providing fast and secure evacuation routes:
India, in collaboration with neighbouring countries like Armenia and Turkmenistan, prepared land and air routes to facilitate the speedy evacuation of students.
3. Reiterating India’s commitment to migrant protection:
Like earlier missions – such as Operation Ganga (Ukraine), Operation Kaveri (Sudan), and Operation Ajay (Israel) – this mission also made it clear that India takes its policy of “no Indian left behind” seriously.
Official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while informing about the launch of the mission, said:
“India has launched ‘Operation Sindhu’ to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran. In coordination with our missions, 110 students were evacuated from northern Iran to Armenia. They will reach Delhi on June 19 via a special flight from Yerevan. India attaches the highest priority to the safety of its citizens abroad.”
Significance of Operation Sindhu
Operation Sindhu is not just an evacuation mission; it is a symbol of India’s diplomatic acumen, humanitarian sensitivity, and global emergency response system. Through this, India has proved that no matter how dire the situation, it does not abandon its citizens in distress.
This mission also boosts India’s soft power, popularity, and security prowess internationally, clearly demonstrating India’s credibility and strength.
Operation Sindhu once again proves that India not only protects its citizens but also fulfills its global obligations by taking organized, quick and sensitive action in times of crisis. The safe return of 110 Indian students clearly demonstrates the success of this mission, and through this India has shown the world that it is committed to the safety of its citizens anywhere in the world.
India will continue to make similar efforts in the days to come, if needed – this is the real strength of India.
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