Missiles, drones, fear: Inside India’s Operation Sindhu evacuation from Iran

Dubai: The Indian government has launched Operation Sindhu, a major evacuation effort to bring Indian nationals home from Iran, as tensions escalate in the wake of the Iran-Israel conflict.

The first phase of the operation has successfully brought 110 Indian students back to India.

According to a statement by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the students, primarily from northern Iran, were evacuated via Armenia and flown from Yerevan to New Delhi on a special flight.

They landed in India in the early hours of Wednesday.

“India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran. 110 students from northern Iran crossed into Armenia under the supervision of our Missions in Iran and Armenia. They departed from Yerevan on a special flight and have now safely reached New Delhi,” Jaiswal posted on X.

“India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of her nationals abroad.”

Among the evacuees were students from Urmia University, located in northwestern Iran.

Many expressed relief and gratitude for the swift rescue efforts and detailed the deteriorating conditions in the region.

“The situation is worsening day by day, especially in Tehran,” one student told reporters.

“We were evacuated from our university and taken to Armenia, then to Qatar, and finally to India. The Indian authorities have done a great job.”

Ghazal, another student, said, “We are very happy to be back. The Indian Embassy arranged everything smoothly. The situation in Urmia was relatively calm, unlike in Tehran.”

Others recounted the terrifying scenes they had witnessed. Yasir Gaffar, a student, said, “We saw missiles passing by and loud sounds at night. It was frightening. I haven’t given up on my dreams, and hope to return once the situation improves.”

Another student described seeing drones and missiles near their campus. “We are just glad to be back home safely,” she said, while thanking the Indian government, particularly the Ministry of External Affairs, for their support.

Parents of the evacuated students also expressed heartfelt thanks. One mother said, “The Indian government handled everything so well. Our children didn’t face any trouble anywhere. I’m just happy my daughter is home.”

Why Operation Sindhu was launched

Months after Operation Sindoor, the government of India has launched Operation Sindhu. The similar sounding names have led to confusion. While Operation Sindoor was related to conflict with Pakistan, Operation Sindhu has been initiated amid the Iran-Israel conflict to evacuated Indians from Iran.

Operation Sindhu was launched on June 18, in response to growing concerns over the safety of Indian citizens in Iran following the June 13 Israeli airstrikes.

With missile and drone attacks increasing, the government decided to act swiftly to evacuate citizens — especially students, professionals, pilgrims, and seafarers — from high-risk zones.

The operation follows similar rescue efforts in recent years, such as Operation Ganga (Ukraine), Operation Kaveri (Sudan), and Operation Ajay (Israel), all under India’s overarching policy of “No Indian Left Behind.”

The name ‘Sindhu’

Though no official explanation has been given, the name Sindhu — meaning “river” or “ocean” in Sanskrit — is historically significant. It refers to the Indus River, from which the name India is derived. The symbolic name reflects a long journey, echoing the government’s commitment to go the distance for its citizens’ safety.

Evacuation routes and logistics

The initial evacuation involved an overland route from Urmia to Armenia, followed by a special flight from Yerevan to New Delhi. Alternate corridors through Turkmenistan are also being considered to evacuate more Indians.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Air Force, and private airlines like IndiGo are coordinating the rescue efforts. The MEA has also activated 24×7 control rooms and is working closely with Iranian, Armenian, and Turkmen authorities to ensure safe passage.

Indian nationals in Iran

According to reports, over 13,000 Indian students are currently studying in Iran, most of them pursuing medical degrees. The situation remains tense, and the government is preparing further evacuation phases as necessary.

“We are travelling for three days and are tired,” said Mariam Roz, one of the evacuees. “But we’re grateful. From our dorms, we could see missiles flying by the windows. The embassy took care of everything.”

As Operation Sindhu continues, the Indian government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, standing ready to bring back more nationals as the situation in Iran evolves.