What happened?
Iran has opened its otherwise closed airspace exclusively for Indian evacuation flights under ‘Operation Sindhu’. This emergency evacuation programme aims to bring at least 1,000 Indian students stranded in conflict-hit Iranian cities back to Delhi in the next two days. The first flight is scheduled to land at 11:00 PM IST tonight, with two more flights planned for Saturday. The Iranian airspace has been largely closed to international flights due to ongoing missile exchanges and drone attacks involving Israeli and Iranian forces. The Indian government launched ‘Operation Sindhu’ on Wednesday to evacuate its nationals from Iran as the conflict with Israel escalated. Iranian embassy officials in Delhi confirmed close contact between the Iranian foreign ministry and the Indian mission in Tehran after some students were injured. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that India prioritizes the safety and security of its nationals abroad. Earlier this week, 110 Indian students were evacuated from northern Iran to Yerevan, Armenia, by road under close coordination between India’s missions in Tehran and Yerevan. These students were then flown to New Delhi, landing in the early hours of June 19. Most of these students are residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
Why it matters to India
This development is critically important for India as it ensures the safety and swift return of its citizens, particularly students, who are stranded in a conflict-ridden region. The exclusive opening of Iranian airspace for Indian evacuation flights highlights India’s strong diplomatic efforts and the mutual understanding between the two nations, even amid regional tensions. Successfully executing ‘Operation Sindhu’ demonstrates India’s commitment to its citizens abroad and its robust evacuation capabilities in times of crisis. The gratitude expressed by the Indian government to Iran and Armenia for facilitating the safe passage of Indian nationals underscores the importance of international cooperation in such humanitarian efforts. The fact that a significant number of the evacuated students are from Jammu and Kashmir also has domestic implications, reinforcing the government’s focus on the well-being of its citizens across all regions.