Operation Sindhu: India evacuates around 1,800 nationals from Israel & Iran as conflict in West Asia escalates

As of now, India has evacuated around 1,800 nationals from Israel and Iran under Operation Sindhu as the conflict in West Asia continues to intensify read more
Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita welcomed the group of 285 Indian nationals who arrived in New Delhi last night on a special flight from Mashhad. X - @PmargheritaBJP
India welcomed a group of 285 nationals from Iran and Israel as the conflict intensifies in West Asia. On Sunday evening, a special flight arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad, Iran. Soon after the arrival, Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita confirmed that the total number of Indians evacuated from both nations now stands at 1,713.
The Indian nationals are being evacuated from the region under Operation Sindhu, which commenced after both Israel and Iran started hurling missiles against each other's territory. 'Warmly welcomed 285 Indian nationals at the Delhi airport who were evacuated from Iran under #OperationSindhu,' Margherita wrote in a post on X.
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'A special flight from Mashhad landed at 2330 hrs on 22 June. With this, 1,713 Indian nationals have been brought home safely from Iran,' he added. The Indian diplomat also mentioned that 2 to 3 more flights are scheduled from Iran for the next two days. Margherita made it clear that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs is in constant contact with all Indian nationals residing in Iran and Israel.
About Operation Sindhu
The MEA launched the operation on June 19, given the recent developments between Israel and Iran. 'The Government of India has decided to evacuate from Israel those Indian nationals who wish to leave. Their travel from Israel to India will be facilitated through the land borders and thereafter by air to India,' the MEA said in a statement announcing Operation Sindhu.
They mentioned that the Embassy of India in Tel Aviv would be making arrangements for the evacuation of Indians. Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Israel urged all Indian nationals to remain vigilant and strictly follow the safety guidelines issued by Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command.
'The Government of India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely. The Embassy remains continuously in touch with the community to extend all feasible assistance,' the MEA wrote in the presser. During the operation, Armenia played a crucial role in ensuring the evacuation of Indian nationals when both Iran and Pakistan closed their airspace.
Islamabad had its airspace closed since India-Pakistan tensions escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack.

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