India Embassy in Iran is gradually ending Operation Sindhu following a ceasefire. Over 2,500 Indians were safely evacuated amid the Iran-Israel conflict. The Embassy advises citizens to stay alert and contact support if needed, while keeping helplines active for a few more days.
The Indian Embassy in Iran has announced a phased conclusion of its evacuation mission, Operation Sindhu, following the declaration of a ceasefire in the region. The initiative, launched by the Government of India to safeguard its nationals during the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, saw over 2,500 Indian citizens brought back home safely.
In a public statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday evening, the Indian Embassy confirmed the closure of the emergency contact desk that had been set up to register Indian nationals for evacuation. This move marks a significant step toward normalcy, though Indian authorities remain cautious and continue to monitor the situation closely.
“The Embassy has closed the contact desk that was opened to register new names for evacuation. At the same time, the Government of India is keeping a careful eye on the evolving situation and will reassess its strategy if there is again a threat to the security of Indian nationals in Iran,” the Embassy stated.
Advisory for Indian Nationals in Iran
In its advisory, the Embassy urged Indian citizens currently residing in other parts of Iran not to travel to Mashhad, which had served as a key evacuation point. Instead, they were advised to stay put and follow updates issued by the Embassy through official channels.
For those who had already reached Mashhad and were staying in hotels arranged by the Indian government, new instructions were issued to consolidate accommodations. “Those Indians who had already travelled to Mashhad in the last few days and are staying in one of the hotels arranged by the Embassy, are requested to shift to Sadr Hotel today itself. The Embassy will release the rooms in other hotels and retain only Sadr Hotel for the next two nights (until checkout time on 26 June),” the statement read.
This move is intended to provide evacuees a short window to assess the security situation for themselves while still under the protection and support of the Embassy.
Continued Support Despite Wind-Down
Despite the wind-down of active evacuation operations, the Indian Embassy reassured citizens that support lines would remain open for the next few days. “If Indian citizens need any advice or assistance, or have any special needs, they may contact the Embassy through the telegram channel or the helplines provided earlier,” the statement emphasized.
India’s swift and strategic response to the worsening conflict in the Middle East was widely acknowledged, as Operation Sindhu mobilized diplomatic and logistical resources to evacuate citizens at risk.
Operation Sindhu: A Multi-Front Evacuation Effort
The operation began with the safe extraction of 110 Indian students from northern Iran. They were guided to Armenia under the supervision of Indian missions in both countries. From there, they were flown to New Delhi on June 17.
On Tuesday, another special flight from Mashhad brought 281 individuals — 276 Indians, three Sri Lankans, and two Nepalese nationals — back to India. These evacuees were warmly welcomed by Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs, in New Delhi. This raised the total number of evacuees from Iran under Operation Sindhu to 2,576.
Parallel operations were also launched in Israel, where the situation remained tense. As of now, 594 Indians have been brought back from Israel since the Israel leg of Operation Sindhu began on June 23.
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A Strategic, Humanitarian Success
Operation Sindhu reflects India’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad, especially in volatile regions. The efficient coordination between multiple Indian diplomatic missions, the use of multiple evacuation routes, and the deployment of special flights showcased India’s growing capacity to conduct complex humanitarian operations on a global scale.
While the situation appears to be stabilizing, Indian officials remain vigilant. The Embassy in Iran has assured that it will quickly reactivate evacuation measures if the security environment deteriorates once again.
