In a significant move amid escalating hostilities in the Persian Gulf, Iran has permitted India to use its otherwise restricted airspace exclusively for the evacuation of Indian nationals. The initiative is part of the Indian Government&rsquo;s emergency response plan, Operation Sindhu, aimed at repatriating citizens from areas impacted by ongoing conflict between Iranian and Israeli forces.
At least 1,000 Indian students who had been stranded across various cities in Iran are expected to return to New Delhi over the course of two days. The first of the three special flights is set to arrive in Delhi at 11:00 pm IST on Friday. The remaining two flights are scheduled for Saturday, with one arriving in the morning and the other in the evening.
Following missile attacks and drone strikes between Iran and Israel, Iranian airspace has been closed to most foreign aircraft. However, New Delhi has been granted exclusive passage to enable these evacuation flights. Iran&rsquo;s rare exception to this restriction has allowed India to initiate its phased repatriation of nationals from high-risk zones.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the commencement of Operation Sindhu on Wednesday, responding to the worsening security conditions in Iran. &ldquo;India accords highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad,&rdquo; the MEA said in its official statement.
According to the ministry, more than 10,000 Indians are currently based in Iran, with around 6,000 of them being students. Approximately half of the Indian nationals in the country are enrolled in academic institutions.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran, working in coordination with the Iranian foreign ministry, has already assisted in relocating 110 students from the northern region of Iran. These individuals were transported by road under the supervision of Indian officials and successfully crossed the border into Armenia on Tuesday. They were then moved to the Armenian capital, Yerevan, as part of the broader evacuation plan.
Iranian embassy representatives in Delhi confirmed that the two governments have been in constant communication, particularly after reports surfaced of injuries sustained by some Indian students during the conflict. The MEA has reiterated that the Indian diplomatic missions in Tehran and Yerevan are actively engaged in ensuring the safety of evacuees.
As part of the ongoing operation, Indian students are being moved to safer areas within Iran before being repatriated. The MEA has urged all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in Iran to limit their movement, follow local safety directives, and maintain regular contact with Indian authorities.
A dedicated 24-hour control room has been set up by the MEA in New Delhi to provide assistance. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has also advised nationals to use emergency helplines and stay updated through official communication platforms as the situation continues to evolve.
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Over 1,000 Indian students to arrive in Delhi as India begins emergency evacuation from Iran.

India Airlifts Students as Iran Opens Airspace

Over 1,000 Indian students to arrive in Delhi as India begins emergency evacuation from Iran.

June 20, 2025 | 22:29 IST