Operation Sindhu – India’s Evacuation Response
- Launch: Operation Sindhu initiated amid rising Israel–Iran hostilities.
- Objective: Safely evacuate Indian nationals, primarily students and pilgrims, from conflict-hit Iran.
- Phase 1:
- 110 Indian students evacuated from northern Iran to Yerevan, Armenia by road.
- Special flight (via Doha) to New Delhi on June 19, early morning.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance ) , GS 3(Disaster Management)
Who Were Evacuated?
- 90 students from Jammu & Kashmir, rest from Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.
- Most were medical students studying in Iranian universities.
- Student dormitories near Tehran reportedly hit during Israeli airstrikes – two Kashmiri students injured.
Diplomatic Coordination
- MEA & Indian Embassy in Tehran worked in coordination with Iranian authorities.
- Iranian Deputy Ambassador stated full cooperation in ensuring safe passage and logistics.
- Evacuees temporarily relocated to Qom, then bussed to Armenia.
Stranded Pilgrims Still Await Assistance
- Tatheer Fatima, a pilgrim from Lucknow, reports:
- Stuck with 96 pilgrims, including elderly women and minors, in Qom.
- No clarity or communication from Indian authorities on their evacuation.
- Facing shortages of medicine and child-care essentials amid deteriorating conditions.
Context: Israel–Iran Conflict Escalation
- Evacuation triggered after Israeli airstrike on Tehran.
- Worsening security situation in Iran’s urban centres, especially around student housing and public areas.
India’s Crisis Response Capacity
- Reflects India’s swift consular action and experience in complex evacuation ops (e.g., Operation Ganga, Vande Bharat).
- Shows geostrategic reach and reliance on third-party countries like Armenia and Qatar for logistics.
Strategic & Humanitarian Significance
- Upholds India’s responsibility to protect its diaspora, especially students and pilgrims.
- Reinforces bilateral goodwill with Iran despite geopolitical turbulence.
- Raises concerns over crisis preparedness for vulnerable groups like pilgrims with limited embassy access.
Key Takeaway
Operation Sindhu demonstrates India’s agile evacuation strategy, but highlights the need for broader crisis communication, particularly for non-student evacuees. As West Asia remains volatile, India must maintain robust contingency plans for diaspora safety and diplomatic responsiveness.
