As military tensions flare between Israel and Iran, India’s government sprang into action on June 18, 2025 with “Operation Sindhu”—a full-scale mission to extract Indian nationals stranded in Iran.
But here’s the twist: New Delhi just said, “Why stop there?” Following official requests from Nepal and Sri Lanka, India is now also evacuating their citizens, according to statements from the Indian Embassy in Tehran .
This move highlights India’s growing role as a regional responder in humanitarian crises—but it also raises questions about logistics, diplomacy, and littoral leadership in South Asia.
What People Are Searching For
| Topic | What People Want to Know | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| What is Operation Sindhu? | Origins, dates, number of evacuees | People search “Operation Sindhu Iran” |
| How many Indians evacuated? | Current figures from MEA | Search “517 Indians evacuated Iran” |
| Where are Evacuees Leaving From? | Cities: Mashhad, Ashgabat, Tehran | Search “Mashhad evacuation Iran” |
| Helpline & Contacts | Phone numbers, Telegram links | Search “Indian embassy helpline Iran” |
| Including Nepal/Sri Lanka | Why and how India is helping them too | Search “Nepal Sri Lanka evacuation Iran” |
| How to Contact Embassy? | Procedural info for stranded citizens | Search “contact embassy Tehran evacuation” |
| Other Operations Context | Past evacuations: Ukraine, Sudan, Libya | Search “India evacuation history” |
| Regional Diplomacy | Iran’s coordination, South Asian dynamics | Search “India regional cooperation evacuation” |
Detailed Breakdown
The Launch: What & When
India launched Operation Sindhu on June 18, 2025, amid rapidly deteriorating Iran–Israel tensions. The initiative aimed to evacuate thousands of Indian nationals—students, professionals, pilgrims—from multiple Iranian cities.
Evacuation Progress
- 517 Indians evacuated as of June 21, 2025, confirmed by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
- Initial 110 flown via Armenia to Delhi; recent flights carried 290 students from Mashhad, and another landed from Ashgabat with Indian citizens.
Flight Routes & Exit Points
- Mashhad (northern Iran) served as a hub after airspace clearance.
- Ashgabat, Turkmenistan used as alternate corridor to India .
Expansion to Nepal & Sri Lanka
Following urgent appeals from both governments, India extended its assistance. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has now issued emergency helpline lines—+98 901 014 4557, +98 912 810 9115, +98 912 810 9109—and opened a Telegram channel for stranded citizens.
Nepal initially sought evacuation for 16 citizens (5 currently detained), while Sri Lanka pressed for help on behalf of multiple students and workers.
Why India? Logistics & Diplomacy
- India has embassy infrastructure, charter flight access, and border corridors already set up.
- This mirrors past efforts like Operation Kaveri (Sudan, 2023), Operation Devi Shakti (Afghanistan, 2021), and Operation Sukoon (Lebanon, 2006) .
Regional Cooperation and Image
New Delhi’s inclusive gesture boosts its regional standing: acting as a leader in South Asian crisis response, strengthening diplomatic bonds with Kathmandu and Colombo .
Next Steps & Challenges
- Coordination with Iranian authorities for safe transit out of Tehran and border regions.
- Logistical complexity involves flights, ground movement, embassy helplines, and medical screening.
- Tracking numbers will vary depending on new evacuation waves—including Nepalese and Sri Lankans.
FAQs People Are Googling
- Q: How many Indians evacuated so far?
A: 517 as of June 21, 2025. - Q: Where are evacuees coming from?
A: Flights from Mashhad, Ashgabat; coordination in Tehran. - Q: Can Nepalese and Sri Lankans apply now?
A: Yes—embassy helplines and Telegram channel are active . - Q: Why did India help them?
A: Government-to-government requests, India’s logistical capacity, and regional leadership role. - Q: Is this the first time?
A: No—India has a strong evacuation track record: Sudan, Afghanistan, Libya, Lebanon, Ukraine, Israel etc. .
Why Readers Care
- Stranded citizens (students, professionals) need hotline info.
- Families search for numbers, departure routes, evacuation updates.
- Policy enthusiasts track India’s growing “first responder” role.
- Regional politics fans follow Nepal–India–Sri Lanka diplomatic coordination.
What Comes Next?
- Increased flights from Mashhad via Armenia/Ashgabat.
- Nepal & Sri Lanka evacuees begin boarding—numbers still small but rising.
- MEA updates expected daily on evacuee counts & persons-of-concern.
- India to continue bilateral coordination with Iran and regional governments.
Operation Sindhu began as a mission to rescue Indian nationals from Iran’s escalating conflict front—and quickly evolved into a regional humanitarian initiative by welcoming Nepalese and Sri Lankan evacuees.
With over 500 Indians already home and growing numbers for South Asia’s smaller nations, India’s 2025 effort underscores its emerging role as a capable and willing crisis caretaker in the neighborhood.
