Published on: June 20, 2025 6:46 pm
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has prompted a rare diplomatic move as Iran opens its airspace for India to facilitate the evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in conflict zones. The first batch of Indian students reached Delhi tonight, marking a significant milestone in India’s humanitarian efforts to safely bring back its citizens.
Operation Sindhu: India’s Strategic Evacuation Plan
Amid rising tensions in the region, the Indian government launched Operation Sindhu, a large-scale evacuation initiative aimed at rescuing over 1,000 Indian nationals, mainly students and pilgrims, trapped in Iran and neighboring countries. With escalating conflict impacting safe travel, India has coordinated with multiple countries to secure air and land routes for evacuation.
Key Details of the Operation
- The first flight carrying 110 Indian students landed safely in Delhi from Yerevan, Armenia.
- Iran’s government granted special airspace access to Indian flights, a rare diplomatic exception amid ongoing regional military tensions.
- Additional flights are scheduled via Armenia and Turkmenistan to ensure safe passage for all stranded Indians.
- The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has maintained close communication with Iranian and regional authorities to facilitate smooth operations.
Why Iran’s Airspace Access Is Crucial
Iran has kept its airspace largely closed due to heightened military activities around the Israel-Iran conflict. For India, gaining access was essential to shorten evacuation routes and speed up the safe return of its citizens. This cooperation highlights an important instance of diplomatic collaboration during an international crisis.
Impact on Indian Nationals
Thousands of Indian students study in Iran’s universities, many pursuing medicine and engineering degrees. The conflict put their safety at risk, prompting urgent government intervention. Besides air evacuations, India has also coordinated safe land exits through Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan.
“The government’s priority remains the safety and security of Indian citizens abroad. Operation Sindhu reflects this commitment,” said a senior official from the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Route and Logistics of Evacuation
The evacuation flights primarily operate through transit points in Armenia and Turkmenistan due to restrictions in the Iranian airspace. The special permission granted by Iran allowed direct flights on certain corridors, reducing travel time and risk.
- The first batch touched down in Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport last night.
- Two more flights are expected tomorrow to bring additional students and pilgrims.
- Over 10,000 Indian nationals have already been evacuated through coordinated land and air routes in recent weeks.
Internal Links You Can Add
- For background on Indian evacuation operations, read India’s Efforts to Rescue Nationals Abroad.
- Learn more about India’s diplomatic relations with Iran: India-Iran Relations Explained.
- Latest updates on Middle East conflicts: Middle East Conflict News.
What This Means for India and Regional Diplomacy
This evacuation highlights India’s ability to manage crisis situations involving its diaspora. It also showcases how geopolitical tensions can be navigated through diplomacy to prioritise humanitarian outcomes.
The Indian government’s efforts have been praised both domestically and internationally for their speed and efficiency, offering a model for crisis response for other nations with expatriates in conflict zones.
Summary
The recent opening of Iranian airspace to Indian flights marks a critical step in safely evacuating over 1,000 Indian students and pilgrims caught in conflict zones. With Operation Sindhu underway, India has successfully brought back the first batch of students to Delhi, demonstrating effective crisis management and diplomatic collaboration.