India leads regional rescue mission by evacuating Nepali and Sri Lankan nationals from war-affected Iran under Operation Sindhu.
In a bold humanitarian move, India has extended its evacuation mission, Operation Sindhu, to include nationals from Nepal and Sri Lanka, who are currently stranded in Iran, where the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict has escalated significantly.
What began as a focused mission to repatriate Indian citizens caught in a rapidly deteriorating conflict zone has evolved into a regional display of cooperation and crisis diplomacy. The Indian government’s swift decision to assist Nepali and Sri Lankan citizens came after formal diplomatic requests from Kathmandu and Colombo, highlighting the country’s growing role as a regional humanitarian leader.
A Regional Response to a Growing Crisis
As tensions flared between Iran and Israel following a series of missile exchanges and military escalations, thousands of foreign nationals found themselves in a dangerous and uncertain situation. India was quick to respond. Within days, Operation Sindhu was launched to evacuate its own citizens from cities like Tehran and Mashhad, some of which were considered potential targets in the conflict.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran confirmed that it had received official requests from the governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka to assist their nationals. In a press statement, the embassy said that all citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka in Iran should urgently reach out via the embassy’s Telegram group or emergency contact lines to register for evacuation.
Numbers and Efforts So Far
According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, more than 1,100 Indian nationals have already been evacuated from Iran since the operation began. Flights chartered under Operation Sindhu have steadily airlifted groups of stranded individuals out of Iranian airspace and into safe zones or directly to New Delhi.
On June 21, one such flight arrived in Delhi carrying 290 Indian students, all of whom had been studying in Mashhad, a city not far from conflict-affected zones. The embassy confirmed that more flights are being scheduled as the situation unfolds.
Nepal, in particular, is known to have 16 citizens in Iran, according to its foreign ministry. Of those, five are reportedly detained over visa-related issues. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba personally reached out to Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar requesting assistance. Following India’s confirmation of help, Deuba expressed her gratitude and hailed India’s effort as a “gesture of regional solidarity and friendship.”
Similarly, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a public notice encouraging Sri Lankan nationals in Iran to contact the Indian Embassy for inclusion in the evacuation program.
Humanitarian Diplomacy in Action
India’s action under Operation Sindhu represents more than just a routine evacuation—it underscores a strategic and moral decision to uphold regional unity in times of crisis. By stepping in to aid neighbors, India is reinforcing its image as a humanitarian-first power and reliable partner within South Asia.
Foreign policy experts have lauded this move as a continuation of India’s legacy of humanitarian missions. Past operations such as Operation Maitri (in Nepal, 2015), Operation Raahat (in Yemen, 2015), and Vande Bharat Mission (during the COVID-19 pandemic) have solidified India’s capabilities in conducting high-risk evacuations while ensuring the safety of foreign nationals alongside its own citizens.
Operation Sindhu is no different—it is being closely watched by international observers as a case study in coordinated diplomacy, military logistics, and inter-governmental trust.
The Iran–Israel Conflict: A Growing Concern
The Iran–Israel conflict, which has intensified over recent weeks, prompted numerous countries to issue travel advisories, close embassies temporarily, and even call for ceasefires through the United Nations. India’s strategic neutrality, combined with its operational capabilities, placed it in a unique position to offer assistance without political backlash.
Though the Indian government has remained diplomatically cautious in statements, its actions under Operation Sindhu have signaled that its first priority is human lives, regardless of nationality.
A Model for South Asian Solidarity?
In regions like South Asia, where political divisions often hinder collaboration, Operation Sindhu could stand as a new template for regional cooperation. The move not only helped save lives but also strengthened India’s diplomatic relationships with Nepal and Sri Lanka, both of which are key regional partners in trade, security, and cultural exchange.
As the global spotlight continues to shine on the Iran conflict, India’s leadership in extending support beyond its borders could serve as a powerful example for the future of crisis-driven diplomacy.
Source: The Daily Star, Article ID: 3922746
