As tensions in the Persian Gulf region reach a critical threshold following Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on international shipping including Indian vessels, the Government of India has initiated an emergency evacuation operation to bring back thousands of Indian citizens stranded in Iran. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has activated its crisis response mechanism, with the Indian Embassy in Tehran on full alert and special flights being arranged to safely repatriate Indian nationals from the war-prone region.
Scale of the Indian Diaspora in Iran
According to MEA data, approximately 8,500 Indian nationals currently reside in Iran, including students, professionals, pilgrims, and business persons. A significant number of these are from states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Karnataka. Additionally, thousands of Indian workers are employed in various sectors including the oil and petrochemical industry, construction, and IT services. With the current security situation deteriorating rapidly following Iran’s military confrontation with the United States and regional allies, the safety of these Indian citizens has become a paramount concern for the Indian government.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran had earlier issued advisories urging Indian nationals to avoid non-essential travel and to register with the embassy. With the situation now escalating to armed confrontations and airspace restrictions, the government has shifted from advisory mode to active evacuation planning.
Operation Ganga 2.0: India’s Evacuation Plan
The Indian government has named the evacuation effort “Operation Ganga 2.0” – drawing inspiration from the highly successful Operation Ganga launched in 2022 when thousands of Indian students were evacuated from Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine war. Under the current plan, the government has identified multiple evacuation routes:
- Air Evacuation: Air India and IndiGo have been requisitioned to operate special flights from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport. However, with Iranian airspace partially restricted, alternative routing through Oman, UAE, and Turkey is being explored.
- Land Routes: For those unable to access Tehran, land evacuation via the Iran-Turkey border at Bazargan-Gürbulak, and the Iran-Pakistan border at Taftan-Mirjaveh are being considered, with onward flights from Ankara and Islamabad.
- Sea Evacuation: The Indian Navy has positioned INS Mysore and INS Trikand in the Arabian Sea as standby vessels to assist in maritime evacuation if required.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar held emergency consultations with Iranian Foreign Minister on April 18, 2026, securing safe passage guarantees for Indian nationals seeking to leave.
Challenges Facing the Evacuation
The evacuation operation faces several significant challenges that complicate swift repatriation:
Airspace Restrictions: Iran has imposed partial restrictions on civilian airspace in response to threats of US and Israeli airstrikes. This means commercial aircraft cannot follow standard flight paths, requiring longer detour routes that significantly increase flight times and costs.
Communication Disruptions: Internet and phone services in parts of Iran have been disrupted due to the conflict, making it difficult for the Indian Embassy to reach all registered citizens. The embassy has set up emergency hotlines: +98-21-22002348 and a toll-free number in India: 1800-11-2490.
Border Security: With Iran having partially mobilized its military, movement near border areas can be dangerous. Indian nationals in cities near Iran’s western borders, including those in Kurdistan, Kermanshah, and Khuzestan provinces, have been advised to exercise extreme caution.
Visa and Documentation Issues: Some Indian nationals, particularly undocumented workers who entered illegally, may face difficulties in accessing official evacuation routes. The government has indicated it will provide emergency travel documents to assist these individuals.
- India-Iran Relations at a Crossroads
India and Iran have historically maintained cordial, if complex, bilateral relations. India has been one of Iran’s largest oil importers and has invested significantly in the Chabahar Port development in southeastern Iran – a strategic gateway to Central Asia. The current crisis has put this relationship under severe strain.
New Delhi has been walking a diplomatic tightrope: maintaining its position of strategic autonomy while simultaneously protecting its citizens and commercial interests. India has traditionally avoided taking sides in Middle Eastern conflicts, preferring to maintain ties with all parties. However, Iran’s attacks on Indian shipping vessels have forced India to take a more assertive diplomatic stance.
In a statement, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India expects its citizens and vessels to be treated with dignity and respect, and that any harm to Indian nationals or commercial interests would be met with the strongest diplomatic response. India has also reached out to the US, UK, and European partners to emphasize the importance of keeping international shipping lanes open.
What Lies Ahead for Indians in Iran
The situation remains fluid and unpredictable. As of April 19, 2026, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has registered 4,200 Indian nationals seeking evacuation assistance, with the first batch of 300 students and medical patients being evacuated on a special Air India flight to Mumbai via Muscat.
The Indian government has asked all remaining Indian nationals in Iran to maintain contact with the embassy, follow official advisories, keep emergency bags ready, avoid crowded public places, and be prepared for rapid movement if ordered to do so. The government has set up a 24-hour helpline (+91-11-23088124) for families of Indian nationals in Iran.
Politically, India faces a difficult balancing act. As a country that imports significant oil from Iran, maintains strategic investments in Chabahar Port, and has substantial diaspora there, India cannot afford to completely alienate Tehran. At the same time, with Indian shipping under attack, India must take a firm stance to protect its citizens and commercial interests.
Analysts believe that the current crisis will reshape India-Iran relations significantly, regardless of how the broader conflict plays out. India is likely to diversify its oil sources further, accelerate Chabahar Port completion to give its investment a strategic hedge, and reassess the risk profile of having large numbers of workers in conflict-prone regions.
The emergency evacuation of Indian citizens from Iran is a sobering reminder of the human cost of regional conflicts and the responsibility of a government to protect its citizens abroad. India’s swift response, while facing logistical challenges, demonstrates the maturity of its foreign policy apparatus and its commitment to citizen protection.