India has successfully brought home 311 more citizens from Mashhad, Iran, on a special chartered flight that landed in Delhi at 4:30 pm on June 22, raising the total number of evacuees to 1,428 under Operation Sindhu.
The evacuation comes amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which has created a volatile security situation for Indian nationals in the region. Officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have reassured ongoing support and coordination, while evacuees expressed relief and gratitude for the government’s swift action.
Evacuation Efforts and Official Response
The latest batch of 311 Indian nationals, arriving from Mashhad, reflects the Indian government’s intensified focus on ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this brings the total number of Indians evacuated from Iran to 1,428. Officials have highlighted the challenges involved in moving people from conflict zones to safer areas, often requiring lengthy road journeys and coordination through multiple countries.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran and the MEA’s 24/7 Control Room in New Delhi have played pivotal roles in these efforts, offering round-the-clock assistance and emergency helplines for those in need. “The embassy brought us to a safe zone 1,200 km away. They gave us accommodation in a five-star hotel and good food,” recounted an evacuee, Suja Ali, illustrating the support provided during the crisis.
Context and Ongoing Developments
Operation Sindhu was launched in response to heightened hostilities between Iran and Israel, triggered by airstrikes and missile attacks targeting nuclear and strategic sites. The conflict intensified after a US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting fears of further escalation.
With an estimated 4,000 Indian nationals—nearly half of them students—still in Iran, the evacuation process remains complex and ongoing.
The government has planned additional flights and is in constant communication with Indians in both Iran and Israel, including 162 nationals who recently crossed into Jordan and are expected to be repatriated soon. The MEA has advised all Indian citizens in Iran to stay in close contact with embassy officials and utilise emergency helpline numbers for assistance.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we commend the Indian government’s swift and compassionate response to the crisis, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of its citizens abroad. In a world increasingly marked by conflict, such efforts remind us of the importance of peace, dialogue, and empathy.
We believe that every life matters and that international crises call for more cooperation and understanding among nations. As we celebrate the safe return of our fellow citizens, we ask our readers: How can we, as a community, foster greater harmony and support for those affected by global conflicts?
