​India launches Operation Sindhu to evacuate citizens stranded in Iran amid rising tensions with US, Israel

The Centre launched Operation Sindhu on Wednesday as it ramps up efforts to evacuate the remaining Indians stranded in Iran amid escalating tensions with Israel and the US.

Launching the evacuation process, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X, "Operation Sindhu begins," adding that the country gives highest priority to the safety and security of its citizens abroad.

This comes a day after the Ministry of External Affairs evacuated 110 Indian students from northern Iran via Armenia on June 17. Of these, 90 students were from Kashmir. The MEA said the students travelled by road to Yerevan, the Armenian capital, with the support of Iranian and Armenian diplomatic missions. They left Yerevan on a special flight at 2.55 pm on June 18 and are expected to reach New Delhi on Thursday.

THE WEEK had earlier reported that India is also planning evacuations via Turkmenistan border.

The MEA thanked both the Iranian and Armenian governments for helping India in "smooth facilitation" of the evacuation. The ministry said as part of Operation Sindhu, the Indian Embassy in Iran helped several Indian citizens in moving from areas witnessing hostilities to safer locations, before evacuating them using the "available and feasible options".

The Centra has urged Indians in Iran contact the Indian Embassy in Tehran through its emergency helpline, and with the 24x7 Control Room established by the MEA in New Delhi.

Emergency Helpline numbers of Embassy of India in Tehran

1. For call only : +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109

2. For WhatsApp: +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709

3. ⁠Bandar Abbas: +98 9177699036

4. Zahedan: +98 9396356649

5. Email- cons.tehran@mea.gov.in

Helpline numbers of 24 X 7 Control Room set-up by Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi:

800118797 (Toll free) , +91-11-23012113 , +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905

WhatsApp: +91-9968291988 ; Email- situationroom@mea.gov.in 

India