As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, India has swiftly launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its citizens from the volatile region. On June 18, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that 110 Indian students, stranded in northern Iran, were successfully moved to safety via neighboring Armenia.
The students, primarily enrolled at Urmia University of Medical Sciences, included 90 from Kashmir. They were airlifted from Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, on a special flight that departed at 2:55 PM local time. The flight is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi around 2 AM on June 19, according to an official statement.
The evacuation comes against a backdrop of strained regional alliances. While Armenia extended its support, India’s diplomatic ties with Iran’s other neighbors — Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan — remain tense, especially after the recent Operation Sindoor, where Ankara and Baku appeared to side with Islamabad.
In response to the crisis, the Indian Embassy in Tehran and the MEA have set up round-the-clock emergency helplines to assist Indian nationals still in Iran. A 24×7 control room has been activated in Delhi, providing multiple contact numbers, WhatsApp support, and email assistance to ensure constant communication with those affected.
The swift execution of Operation Sindhu underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.
