Sat Jun 21 05:53:31 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that over 500 Indian nationals have been evacuated from Iran under “Operation Sindhu” due to the escalating military conflict between Iran and Israel. The evacuation operation began on Wednesday and involves charter flights from Iran and neighboring Turkmenistan, bringing students, religious pilgrims, and other citizens back to India. Government officials expressed gratitude to Iran for facilitating the evacuation. The first group of evacuees arrived on Thursday and shared accounts of the dangerous situation they experienced in Iran.
**News Article:**
**Over 500 Indians Evacuated from Iran Amid Rising Tensions Under “Operation Sindhu”**
**New Delhi, June 21, 2025** – The Indian government has successfully evacuated over 500 Indian nationals from Iran through “Operation Sindhu” in response to the escalating military confrontation between Iran and Israel, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced today.
The operation, which commenced on Wednesday, has seen multiple charter flights transporting Indian citizens, including students and religious pilgrims, from Iran and neighboring Turkmenistan to New Delhi. A flight arriving from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi at 0300 hrs on June 21, bringing more citizens back, according to MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
The MEA expressed its gratitude to the Iranian government for its cooperation in facilitating the evacuation process.
The first group of 110 evacuees arrived in India on Thursday, sharing harrowing stories of the escalating conflict they witnessed before their departure. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh welcomed them at Delhi airport.
“Operation Sindhu” remains ongoing, and the Indian government continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad.