Key Takeaways
- When & Where: On June 17–19, 2025, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) executed Operation Sindhu, airlifting 110 students—primarily from Urmia Medical University—from northern Iran to New Delhi via Armenia and Qatar.
- Why It Matters: The evacuation comes amid the Israel‑Iran war, which erupted on June 13, 2025, and has seen missile strikes on Tehran, widespread power outages, and internet blackouts timesofindia.indiatimes.comindiatimes.com.
- Government Response: Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh personally welcomed the evacuees at IGI Airport, underscoring India’s commitment to its citizens abroad timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
- Ongoing Efforts: With some 4,000 Indians still in Iran—including over 2,000 students—the MEA says “additional flights via Turkmenistan are underway” and 24×7 helplines are operational indiatimes.com.
Expert Analysis
“Coordinated evacuations like Operation Sindhu require diplomatic finesse, real‑time intelligence, and seamless embassy collaboration,” says Dr. Aisha Verma, Professor of International Relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU profile). “Drawing lessons from Operation Ganga in 2022, India has improved its corridor‑management via third countries.”
Dr. Verma’s research on civilian evacuations—published in the Journal of Strategic Affairs (2024)—highlights the importance of pre‑positioned logistical hubs and clear lines of communication between ministries, airlines, and host‑country authorities indiatimes.comtimesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Timeline of Operation Sindhu
- June 13, 2025: Israel‑Iran hostilities escalate, prompting travel advisories.
- June 15–16: MEA establishes control rooms in Delhi, Tehran, Yerevan, and Doha; issues 24×7 helpline numbers.
- June 17: Overland movement of students from Urmia to Yerevan under embassy escort.
- June 18: Special charter flight (via Yerevan–Doha) departs with 110 evacuees.
- June 19: Flight lands at New Delhi’s IGI Airport; students reunited with families indiatimes.com.
Fact-Check
| Claim | Source & Verification |
|---|---|
| “110 students evacuated” | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal’s press briefing; Times of India report timesofindia.indiatimes.com |
| “Primarily from Urmia Medical University” | IndiaTimes coverage; student testimonies collected by MEA teams indiatimes.com |
| “Additional flights via Turkmenistan underway” | Official MEA statement; Ministry control‑room bulletin indiatimes.commoneycontrol.com |
| “Over 4,000 Indians still in Iran” | Analysis by India TV News quoting MEA data as of June 15, 2025 indiatvnews.com |
What Happens Next?
- Continued Evacuations: MEA confirms “multiple flights in coming days” via Turkmenistan and Qatar.
- Student Welfare: Temporary accommodation, counselling, and travel support are being provided by the High Commission in Delhi.
- Diplomatic Channels: India is engaging Iran, Armenia, and Qatar to streamline exit-permits and overland transit.
Daily Digest (Ongoing Coverage)
- June 20 Update: The second charter flight is scheduled to depart Tehran for Ashgabat at 08:00 IST.
- Helpline Reminder: +91‑11‑2338 XXX / +91‑11‑2301 XXX (24×7) for Indian nationals in Iran.
- Next Briefing: MEA to hold a press conference on June 21, 2025 at 11:00 IST.
