Fri Jun 27 23:21:00 UTC 2025: **Headline: “Operation Sindhu” Brings Relief to Stranded Indian Students Amidst Iran-Israel Conflict**
**New Delhi, India – June 28, 2025** – Operation Sindhu, the Indian government’s initiative to evacuate its citizens from conflict zones in Iran and Israel, has brought relief to hundreds of anxious families across India. Following heightened tensions and direct conflict between Iran and Israel, Indian students pursuing higher education in both countries found themselves caught in the crossfire, prompting a swift response from the Indian government.
The operation successfully evacuated over 1,400 Indian nationals from Iran and over 1,100 from Israel. Many of those evacuated are students pursuing medical degrees, drawn to these countries by the relatively lower tuition fees compared to private institutions in India.
Suhail Qadri from Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, expressed immense relief after being reunited with his two children, Imroz and Raiban, medical students in Tehran. The family lost contact during the initial days of the conflict when missiles struck Tehran.
The situation was dire, with students reporting bombings near university complexes and residential areas. Hania, another medical student in Tehran, recounted Israeli air strikes hitting the men’s dormitory at her university, injuring Indian students. Following the attacks, the Indian Embassy in Iran facilitated the relocation of students to safer cities like Qom before their eventual evacuation.
In Israel, Indian students reported heightened security measures and the constant threat of attacks. Sreyashi Bhowmick, a postdoctoral student at Tel Aviv University, described the exhaustion of living on constant alert, a sentiment echoed by others residing in the region.
While relieved to be home, many students face an uncertain future regarding their education. The disruption to their studies, coupled with concerns about the validity of foreign medical degrees in India, has left many anxious. Aman, a medical student, worries about his ability to complete his degree if Iranian universities do not reopen soon for international students.
Operation Sindhu has provided immediate safety, but the long-term impact on these students’ education and future careers remains a significant concern for both the students and their families. The government is yet to announce any concrete plans to support them.
First Piper 