Operation Sindhu: First rescue flight carrying 110 Indian students lands in Delhi; evacuated from war-hit Iran via Armenia
Over 100 students boarding flight to leave Iran
NEW DELHI: The first evacuation flight carrying 110 Indian citizens, as part of Operation Sindhu, landed in New Delhi from Yerevan, Armenia, on Thursday, amid the escalating military conflict between Iran and Israel.
India launched Operation Sindhu, a mission aimed at ensuring the safety and evacuation of Indian nationals from Iran.
The ministry of external affairs confirmed that Indian students residing in Tehran were safely evacuated from the city through coordination by the Indian Embassy. "Indian students in Tehran have been moved out of the city for safety reasons through arrangements made by the Indian Embassy," stated the ministry in their official communication.
The Indian students left Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan via a special flight at 14:55 IST on June 18, with their expected arrival in New Delhi during the early hours of June 19.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced through Twitter, "Operation Sindhu begins. India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran. India evacuated 110 students from northern Iran who crossed into Armenia under the supervision of our Missions in Iran and Armenia on 17th June.
They departed from Yerevan on a special flight and will arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of 19th June 2025.
India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of her nationals abroad."
The Indian authorities expressed appreciation to Iranian and Armenian governments for their support in the evacuation process.
The MEA stated in an official release that the Indian Embassy in Iran has been supporting numerous Indian nationals to relocate from conflict-affected regions to safer locations within Iran, while arranging their subsequent evacuation through available options.
The ministry emphasised its commitment to protecting Indian citizens abroad and advised those remaining in Iran to maintain contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and the MEA's round-the-clock Control Room in New Delhi.
Emergency contacts:
Embassy of India in Tehran
Call only: +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109
WhatsApp: +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709
Regional Contacts: Bandar Abbas: +98 9177699036, Zahedan: +98 9396356649
Email: cons.tehran@mea.gov.in
24x7 Control Room, MEA, New Delhi
Toll-free: 800118797
Landlines: +91-11-23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905
WhatsApp: +91-9968291988
Email: situationroom@mea.gov.in
Additional phases of Operation Sindhu are anticipated to proceed as developments occur.
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