India has repatriated over 3,150 citizens from Iran under Operation Sindhu, launched in response to rising tensions following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites earlier this month.

 

 

The Ministry of External Affairs announced that a special flight carrying 296 Indian nationals, along with four  Nepalese, arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad on June 25. The total number of Indians evacuated since the operation's commencement is now at 3,154.

 

 

The evacuation operation was announced by the Indian government on June 18, following the escalation between Iran and Israel after Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple nuclear and military sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

 

 

The initial group of evacuees consisted of 110 Indian students who made the journey by road to Armenia. They were flown from Yerevan and arrived in New Delhi on June 19. Indian authorities have also arranged flights from main Iranian cities such as Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan, collaborating with local organisations.

 

 

Evacuees include students, professionals, and travellers who found themselves in Iran during the escalation. Citizens from Nepal stuck in Iran have also been catered to through this operation as part of regional collaboration.

 

 

The repatriation has taken place amidst a 12-day military confrontation between Iran and Israel that began on June 13 and led to widespread missile and drone attacks. While both countries claimed success after the exchange, early assessments by US intelligence suggest that Iran’s nuclear programme suffered temporary disruptions rather than long-term setbacks.

 

 

A ceasefire was established with the involvement of the US, which came into effect on June 24. Israel has removed airspace restrictions, and both nations have shown a willingness to maintain the truce, despite some isolated claims of violations emerging from each side.

 

 

Operation Sindhu is ongoing as a preventive measure amidst fears that the current pause in hostilities might not endure for long. Indian authorities continue to closely monitor the situation.