India Expands Evacuation Efforts in Iran Amid Rising Tensions: What You Need to Know
Evacuation Operation Expands to Include Nepal and Sri Lanka
Tehran: In light of escalating conflicts in the Middle East, India is advancing its Operation Sindhu to evacuate its citizens from Iran. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has confirmed that, following formal requests from the governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the evacuation will now also assist nationals from these neighboring countries.
The embassy shared on X, stating, "On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy’s evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover Citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka."
Emergency contact numbers have been provided for those needing immediate help: +989010144557, +989128109115, and +989128109109.
On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy’s evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover Citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka. https://t.co/eHIOhmNN7M
— India in Iran (@India_in_Iran) June 21, 2025
Additionally, a Telegram channel has been set up to enhance coordination and communication.
This decision comes as tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, particularly following Israel's launch of 'Operation Rising Lion,' a military campaign aimed at undermining Tehran's nuclear capabilities.
Iran has retaliated with a series of counterattacks, resulting in a rapidly worsening security situation in the area.
In response to the growing crisis, India has initiated Operation Sindhu to ensure the safe return of its citizens from Iran. A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in Delhi on Saturday morning, bringing Indian citizens back from danger zones.
This was preceded by another successful operation late Friday night, where 290 Indian students, primarily from Jammu and Kashmir, returned safely to India after Iran temporarily reopened its airspace.
To date, 517 Indian nationals have been successfully evacuated under this ongoing operation.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) are actively involved in coordinating and providing logistical support for continued evacuations.
Iran has also lifted airspace restrictions to facilitate three charter flights aimed at evacuating around 1,000 Indian nationals, mostly students, from Mashhad, a city impacted by the regional unrest.