The Indian government on Friday said 4,415 Indian nationals have been evacuated using 19 special evacuation flights, including 3 IAF C-17 aircraft, from conflict-hit Iran and Israel as part of Operation Sindhu.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs’ statement, 3,597 people have been evacuated from Iran.
MEA said 818 people have been evacuated from Israel.
“14 OCI card-holders, 9 Nepali nationals, 4 Sri Lankan nationals and 1 Iranian spouse of an Indian national were also evacuated from Iran. The evacuated Indian nationals included more than 1500 women and 500 children,” MEA said in a statement.
The MEA said on June 17-18, Indian Missions in Tehran, Yerevan, and Ashgabat coordinated the evacuation of Indian nationals from Iran through land border crossings to Armenia and Turkmenistan.
Special evacuation flights commenced on June 18
Special evacuation flights commenced on June 18 and facilitated the return of Indian nationals to New Delhi.
The majority of evacuations were carried out through Mashhad, after Iran opened its airspace for evacuation flights under Operation Sindhu on 20 June at India’s request.
“We thank the Government of Iran for this gesture. A total of 3597 Indian nationals — including students, workers, professionals, pilgrims and fishermen – from more than 15 Indian states – were brought back to India from Yerevan, Ashgabat and Mashhad from 18 -26 June using 15 special evacuation flights,” the statement said.
The Israel leg of Operation Sindhu commenced on June 23.
Indian Missions in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Amman, and Cairo facilitated the movement of Indian nationals across land borders to Jordan and Egypt.
A total of 818 Indian nationals were evacuated, including students, workers and professionals.
They were evacuated from Amman and Sharm al Sheikh from June 22-25 using 4 evacuation flights, including 3 IAF C-17 aircraft.
In view of the reopening of the airspace, evacuation operations were halted on June 25.
“Further actions will be taken based on the evolving situation in West Asia,” the statement said.
MEA said: “The Government of India is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. Under PM Narendra Modi’s guidance, Operation Sindhu is another demonstration of this commitment.”
“We thank the Governments of Iran, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Armenia and Turkmenistan for their support during Operation Sindhu. Indian Missions will stay engaged with host Governments and the Indian community in Iran, Israel and the wider West Asia region,” the statement said.
India and Iran reached a ceasefire deal on June 24, ending a 12-day conflict.
