Iran Opens Airspace Only for India to Evacuate Stranded Students
In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Iran has granted exclusive airspace access to Indian evacuation flights amidst ongoing regional hostilities, allowing the safe return of over 1,000 Indian students stranded in conflict-affected cities. The operation, codenamed Operation Sindhu, began late Sunday night with the first evacuation flight expected to land in Delhi by midnight.
This decision comes as Iranian airspace remains closed to all international civilian flights due to intense aerial conflict with Israel. However, Tehran made an exception for India, enabling special aircraft to operate evacuation corridors from cities including Isfahan, Shiraz, and Tehran. Sources indicate that this humanitarian clearance was facilitated after high-level diplomatic engagement between Indian and Iranian officials.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that approximately 1,000 Indian nationals, mostly students studying medicine and engineering, have been identified for urgent evacuation. Most of them were caught in cities close to key military installations and communication blackouts. Flights will continue in batches over the next 48 hours with Indian Air Force and commercial carriers pressed into service.
Operation Sindhu mirrors the scale and coordination of past missions like Operation Ganga (Ukraine) and Operation Kaveri (Sudan). Emergency helplines have been activated, and families of evacuees have been informed of the arrival schedules. MEA officials and medical teams are stationed at the airport to assist with processing and post-arrival formalities.
India’s quick response has been lauded domestically and internationally, particularly as other nations struggle to secure similar evacuation routes. New Delhi’s neutrality in the Iran-Israel conflict appears to have played a key role in securing this rare diplomatic concession. While Indian embassies in the region are on high alert, officials maintain there is no immediate threat to remaining Indian citizens outside conflict zones.
Iran’s decision to allow Indian aircraft alone through its restricted airspace is being viewed as a strong gesture of bilateral trust. Analysts say it underscores India’s emerging credibility as a responsible and non-aligned power capable of managing sensitive geopolitical situations without inflaming tensions.
With the first group of evacuees en route and further sorties planned, Operation Sindhu is poised to complete one of India’s most challenging civilian airlifts in a live conflict theatre.
