How did India express gratitude to nations aiding Operation Sindhu?
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Synopsis
India's Operation Sindhu has showcased a remarkable international collaboration for evacuation amidst turmoil. With gratitude expressed towards nations like Iran and Israel, the operation has successfully brought thousands of Indian nationals home. Join us as we delve into the details of this significant mission and the cooperative efforts behind it.
Key Takeaways
- Operation Sindhu aims to evacuate Indian nationals from conflict zones.
- Significant international collaboration has facilitated these efforts.
- The Indian government has evacuated thousands of citizens so far.
- Challenges include airspace closures and rerouting of flights.
- Citizen safety remains a top priority for the Indian government.
New Delhi, June 26 (NationPress) On Thursday, India conveyed its heartfelt appreciation to the governments of Israel, Iran, Jordan, Egypt, Armenia, and Turkmenistan for their invaluable assistance in the evacuation operations associated with the ongoing Operation Sindhu.
During a weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal revealed that India has conducted 14 flights to repatriate its citizens from the conflict-stricken area in Iran. He highlighted that flights were arranged from Iran, Armenia, and Turkmenistan, with the last flight from Armenia scheduled to arrive in New Delhi later today.
Due to the closure of the Israeli airspace, Indian nationals were rerouted to the neighboring countries of Jordan and Egypt, from which they were subsequently flown back to India on special flights.
"We wish to extend our gratitude to the governments of Israel, Jordan, and Egypt for their support during Operation Sindhu. We also thank the Iranian government, which granted us access to their airspace for the evacuation of our nationals. We are truly grateful for this gesture. Our appreciation also goes out to the governments of Turkmenistan and Armenia for their assistance in bringing our people home," remarked Jaiswal.
Operation Sindhu was initiated on June 18 to facilitate the evacuation of Indian nationals from Iran and Israel.
"We have approximately 10,000 members of the Indian community in Iran and about 40,000 Indian nationals residing in Israel. From Iran, we have successfully evacuated 3,426 Indian nationals, along with 11 OCI card holders, nine Nepalese nationals, some Sri Lankan nationals, and one Iranian national married to an Indian citizen," the MEA spokesperson stated.
"Regarding Israel, we have evacuated 818 Indian nationals across four flights. With the Israeli airspace closed, Indian nationals were transported to Jordan and Egypt, where they boarded special flights back home," he added.
India is currently evaluating the situation on the ground before making any decisions about the future of Operation Sindhu.
"We are monitoring the circumstances closely, and our decision on whether to continue Operation Sindhu will depend on this assessment. We will keep you informed. The recent ceasefire is a positive development, and we welcome it," he noted.
On Thursday, the MEA confirmed that a total of 275 individuals — 272 Indian nationals and three Nepalese — safely arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad, Iran, earlier that day.
"A special flight evacuated 272 Indian and three Nepalese nationals from Iran, landing in New Delhi at 00:01 hrs on June 26. In total, 3,426 Indian nationals have returned from Iran as part of Operation Sindhu," posted Randhir Jaiswal on X.
Furthermore, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully evacuated an additional 224 Indian nationals from Israel on Wednesday, bringing the total number of citizens safely returned to 818 under Operation Sindhu.
Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje welcomed the Indian nationals upon their arrival in New Delhi.
As 818 Indian nationals returned from Israel as part of Operation Sindhu, the MEA reiterated that the safety and security of Indian nationals is the government's foremost priority, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Point of View
The ongoing Operation Sindhu underscores India's commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad. The cooperative spirit displayed by friendly nations during this crisis highlights the importance of diplomatic relations and international support. The government's proactive response and strategic planning during such challenging times reflect its dedication to the safety and security of its nationals.
NationPress
26/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Sindhu?
Operation Sindhu is an initiative by the Indian government launched on June 18 to evacuate its nationals from conflict zones in Iran and Israel.
Which countries assisted India during Operation Sindhu?
India received support from Israel, Iran, Jordan, Egypt, Armenia, and Turkmenistan during Operation Sindhu.
How many Indian nationals have been evacuated so far?
As of now, 3,426 Indian nationals have been evacuated from Iran, along with 818 from Israel.
What challenges did the evacuation face?
The closure of Israeli airspace posed challenges, necessitating rerouting of Indian nationals to neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt for their return.
What is the Indian government’s stance on citizen safety?
The Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, prioritizes the safety and security of its nationals abroad, as demonstrated by Operation Sindhu.
