In August 1990, then External Affairs Minister I.K. Gujral visited Iraq shortly after it invaded Kuwait. His embrace with Saddam Hussain stirred controversy, but it permitted 170,000 Indians in Kuwait to evacuate safely, thanks to Operation Airlift. This operation involved 488 Air India flights over 63 days, successfully bringing back over 100,000 Indians.
Fast forward to today, the safety of Indians abroad is once again under scrutiny. Up to 10,000 Indians, including students and business owners, currently live in and around Tehran, Iran, prompting concerns amid ongoing tensions in the region. Past evacuation missions bring hope for effective responses.
The Indian Community in Iran
The latest report on the Indian diaspora shows that the Indian population in Iran has risen significantly. Between January 2023 and January 2024, the number of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) jumped from 5,600 to over 10,000. Overall, approximately 10,765 Indians reside in Iran, a marked increase from 6,018 the previous year.
Planning Evacuations
The Indian government has successfully managed the evacuation of over 32 million citizens during global crises in recent years, from the COVID-19 pandemic to conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.
In June 2025, Operation Sindhu saw the evacuation of 4,415 Indian nationals from conflict areas in West Asia, with 3,597 coming from Iran alone. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted India’s proactive approach in these situations.
The Ministry of External Affairs assesses evacuation needs on a case-by-case basis. They consider factors like the number and location of Indians in the affected area, security conditions, and available exit routes. The government issues advisories to help citizens evacuate in a timely manner.
Notable Past Missions
Recent operations shed light on the scale and efficiency with which India handles such crises. During the Vande Bharat Mission amid the COVID outbreak, over 1.1 million Indians returned home through special flights, demonstrating the government’s commitment to ensuring citizen safety abroad.
In 2021, as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Operation Devi Shakti successfully evacuated 565 individuals, including 438 Indians. The Ukraine-Russia war prompted Operation Ganga, which brought back 18,282 Indian nationals, mostly students.
Operation Kaveri in April 2023 evacuated 4,097 people from Sudan amidst rising tensions. More recently, after the Hamas attack in Israel, Operation Ajay facilitated the return of 1,343 individuals to India, further showcasing the effectiveness of India’s evacuation strategies.
Historical Context
India’s evacuation efforts date back decades. In 2011, during the Libyan Civil War, India successfully evacuated 15,000 citizens through a well-coordinated effort called Operation Safe Homecoming. Similarly, during the 2006 conflict between Israel and Lebanon, approximately 2,280 Indians were evacuated by the Indian Navy.
These missions reflect India’s historical commitment to protecting its citizens during crises. By understanding past successes and lessons learned, the government continues to enhance its strategy for future evacuations.
As tensions rise in various regions, India’s robust evacuation plans remain crucial for the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. By adopting timely strategies and leveraging their experience, they aim to ensure that no Indian is left behind in times of crisis.
For more detailed insights on India’s evacuation efforts and other global affairs, you can refer to authoritative sources like The Ministry of External Affairs and relevant news platforms.
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