Israel-Iran Conflict: India to Evacuate Nepalese and Sri Lankan Nationals from Iran under 'Operation Sindhu'

Along with Indian nationals, the Indian Embassy in Iran has confirmed that it will also help with the evacuation of citizens from Nepal and Sri Lanka. This decision follows official requests from both the Nepalese and Sri Lankan governments.

At the request of the governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, Indian evacuation efforts in Iran will also include citizens of these countries," the embassy said in a social media post on X. This move is part of India’s broader operation to bring its people back from Iran due to the worsening security situation.

Operation Sindhu in Action

As tensions between Iran and Israel continue to rise, India has launched "Operation Sindhu" to bring back its citizens from Iran. According to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, India has so far safely evacuated 517 citizens.

On June 21, a recent flight bringing more evacuees from Ashgabat in Turkmenistan landed in New Delhi. Jaiswal shared the update online, saying the operation is ongoing and the government is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of its people.

India’s History of Evacuation Missions

India has a long history of carrying out rescue operations during international crises. The nation started Operation Kaveri in 2023 to evacuate its citizens from Sudan during an intense military crisis. On that same year during 'Operation Ajay' in October 2023, it helped bring back Indians from Israel amid the Israel-Hamas clashes.

Back in 2022, Operation Ganga was launched to evacuate Indians from Ukraine during the war with Russia. In 2021, Operation Devi Shakti was started by India to help citizens escape from Afghanistan following the Taliban taking power.

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, India launched Operation Samudra Setu to bring back citizens by sea. Earlier in 2015, Operation Raahat helped people leave Yemen safely, and in 2011, Operation Safe Homecoming was carried out during the unrest in Libya.

India continues to show its commitment to protecting not only its own citizens but also those from neighbouring countries in times of crisis.