India to Evacuate Nepalese and Sri Lankans from Iran Amid Worsening Conflict
NEW DELHI — India has extended its evacuation mission in Iran to include Nepalese and Sri Lankan citizens, responding to direct appeals from both governments. The move comes as military operations between Iran, Israel, and the United States escalate, raising urgent security concerns in the region.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran confirmed the expansion of the mission in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy’s evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka,” the statement read.
India launched Operation Sindhu earlier this week to evacuate its nationals stranded in Iran as the conflict worsens. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 517 Indian citizens have been brought home. A special flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, arrived in New Delhi at 3:00 a.m. on June 21, carrying evacuees airlifted from Iran.
The evacuation gained urgency after U.S. airstrikes on June 20 targeted three major Iranian nuclear sites Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan. The strikes were ordered by President Donald Trump in response to what the White House described as “escalating threats from Tehran.” Trump said the operation had achieved its objectives, adding that all American aircraft exited Iranian airspace without casualties.
These U.S. strikes followed Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, which began on June 13 and targeted Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure. Iran retaliated with Operation True Promise 3, launching missiles and drones at Israeli energy facilities. The exchange, now in its ninth day, has triggered widespread concern over the possibility of a larger regional war and threatens commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
India’s decision to support evacuations of Nepalese and Sri Lankan citizens highlights New Delhi’s growing role in regional humanitarian responses. Both countries lack a significant diplomatic presence in Iran and had formally requested India’s assistance in securing safe passage for their nationals.
This operation adds to India’s track record of high-stakes civilian rescues. Past efforts include Operation Ganga during the 2022 Ukraine conflict, Operation Kaveri in Sudan, Operation Ajay in the Israel-Hamas war, and Operation Devi Shakti during the Afghan crisis. India also led maritime evacuations such as Operation Samudra Setu and Operation Raahat.
As tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, the Indian government has pledged to remain on alert and to assist all civilians in danger, regardless of nationality. The MEA has said it is in constant contact with regional partners and will scale up operations if the security situation deteriorates further.
