‘Operation Sindhu Begins’: India Evacuates 110 Students From Iran; First Batch To Reach Delhi Tomorrow

<p>As tensions in Iran escalate amid Israeli airstrikes, India has launched &lsquo;Operation Sindhu&rsquo; to ensure the safe return of its nationals. On 17 June, 110 Indian students&mdash;primarily from northern Iran&mdash;were successfully evacuated across the border into Armenia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Thursday.</p>
<h3><strong>110 Indian Students Cross Border Into Armenia</strong></h3>
<p>According to the MEA, the group of 110 students was evacuated from the northern Iranian city of Urmia under the supervision of Indian Missions in both Iran and Armenia. They were transported to the Armenian capital, Yerevan, from where they boarded a special flight arranged by Indian authorities.</p>
<p>MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X (formerly Twitter), &ldquo;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. 🇮🇳 accords the highest priority to the safety and security of her nationals abroad.&rdquo;</p>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”>
<p dir=”ltr” lang=”en”>Operation Sindhu begins 🇮🇳.<br /><br />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&hellip; <a href=”https://t.co/8WJom7wh5f”>pic.twitter.com/8WJom7wh5f</a></p>
&mdash; Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) <a href=”https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1935343417510211749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<h3><strong>Flight Carrying Evacuees To Reach Delhi</strong></h3>
<p>According to news agency PTI, officials said on Wednesday that the first evacuation flight carrying Indian nationals out of Iran is expected to land in New Delhi around 2 am on 19 June. The flight departed from Yerevan and marks the first phase of repatriation efforts.</p>
<p>In a statement issued on Tuesday, the MEA confirmed that Indian students residing in Tehran had already been relocated from the city due to safety concerns. The arrangements were facilitated by the Indian Embassy in Iran.</p>
<h3><strong>Evacuation Amid Intensifying Iran-Israel Conflict</strong></h3>
<p>Tehran has come under intense airstrikes from Israel as part of Operation Rising Lion, a military campaign aimed at dismantling Iran&rsquo;s nuclear infrastructure and missile capabilities. The Iranian capital has responded with retaliatory measures, and the conflict has now entered its sixth day, sparking fears of a broader regional escalation.</p>
<p>The MEA further stated that Indians with independent means of transport have been advised to leave Tehran as a precaution. In addition, some nationals were helped to exit Iran via the Armenia border.</p>
<p>According to the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, out of the 110 students evacuated from Urmia Medical University, 90 hail from the Kashmir Valley. The group is expected to arrive in India early Thursday morning.&nbsp;</p>