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With hostilities intensifying between Iran and Israel, the Indian government has initiated the first phase of a large-scale contingency operation to evacuate thousands of its nationals stranded across Iran. Amid airspace closures and mounting security risks, the Indian Armed Forces have been placed on high alert, ready to execute rapid evacuation missions at short notice.
Sources in the defence and security establishment confirmed to BharatShakti that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has positioned its strategic airlift fleetтАФincluding C-17 Globemaster III, IL-76 Gajraj, and C-130J Super Hercules aircraftтАФon standby for immediate deployment.
тАЬThese are the same platforms that led evacuations from conflict zones like Afghanistan, Sudan, and Ukraine,тАЭ a senior official said. тАЬThey are now prepared to operate from bases in Armenia and the UAE, depending on how the situation unfolds.тАЭ
Armenia Enables First Successful Cross-Border Evacuations
In a critical diplomatic breakthrough, Armenia has facilitated IndiaтАЩs first successful evacuation wave. A group of 110 Indian students, most based near IranтАЩs northwestern city of Urmia, crossed into Armenian territory via land routes. They are expected to be flown back to India shortly aboard a special flight arranged by Indian authorities.
Efforts are now underway to replicate such cross-border evacuations for other Indian nationals located in different parts of Iran, particularly those near the countryтАЩs northern frontiers.
MEA Activates 24×7 Emergency Control Room
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up a 24-hour control room to oversee evacuation logistics, coordinate with regional partners, and maintain real-time communication with Indian citizens across Iran. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has launched emergency helplines and is closely monitoring developments in high-risk zones, including Bandar Abbas, Zahedan, and Qom.
тАЬEmbassy officials are in direct contact with Indian nationals to help relocate them to safer locations,тАЭ an MEA source said. тАЬEfforts are being made to facilitate travel permissions where movement is restricted.тАЭ
Strategic Role of India-Armenia Ties
IndiaтАЩs close defence and strategic partnership with Armenia has emerged as a vital asset in this unfolding crisis. Over recent years, India has supplied Armenia with key military platforms, including SWATHI weapon-locating radars, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and Akash surface-to-air missile systems.
Responding swiftly to IndiaтАЩs request, the Armenian government opened designated land corridors and coordinated with Indian diplomats to smoothen border crossings for evacuees.
тАЬThis partnership has transitioned from arms transfers to operational crisis coordinationтАФmarking a new phase in bilateral ties,тАЭ a defence analyst observed.
Airspace Closed, Land Borders Open
Following a series of Israeli airstrikes and Iranian retaliatory missile launches, Iran has closed its airspace to commercial and diplomatic traffic. However, its land borders with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan remain open for foreign nationals.
тАЬIran welcomes coordinated land evacuations. Diplomatic missions must submit evacuee details in advance,тАЭ IranтАЩs Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Indian officials have already submitted lists of citizens registered for evacuation and are working with Iranian border guards for safe transit.
Military Evacuation Assets Poised for Action
The Indian Air Force has prepped its transport fleet for a full-scale Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) if needed. The C-17 Globemaster III, capable of long-range, heavy-lift missions, will be the primary platform for bulk evacuations. The IL-76тАФa veteran of the 1990 Gulf airliftтАФand the agile C-130J Super Hercules, suited for tactical insertions and extractions, are also on alert.
The C-130Js, equipped for night operations and short runway landings, may be used for missions from remote or hostile areas, carrying medical teams and relief supplies.
Support from UAE and Armenia Critical
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held consultations with his counterparts in Armenia and the United Arab Emirates to secure logistical support. While Armenia has opened transit corridors, the UAE is being considered as a potential staging base for evacuation flights from third countries.
However, citizens in IranтАЩs southern and eastern regionsтАФfar from the Armenian borderтАФface unique challenges. Visa restrictions and internal travel permits limit their mobility, making it difficult for them to access designated exit points. India is currently in talks with Iranian authorities to negotiate safe travel corridors and relax internal movement curbs for evacuees.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has advised citizens to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay in contact with local authorities and Indian officials.
Strategic, Humanitarian Dimensions at Play
Beyond the immediate humanitarian imperative, IndiaтАЩs coordinated response underscores its deepening strategic footprint in the region. Analysts note that the growing India-Armenia partnership also reflects New DelhiтАЩs intent to counterbalance the Turkey-Pakistan-Azerbaijan axis and enhance its role in the International North-South Transport CorridorтАФa key connectivity initiative linking India to Europe via Iran and Armenia.
As the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, IndiaтАЩs swift diplomatic and military preparedness may prove pivotal in ensuring the safety of its citizensтАФand in reinforcing its strategic clout in a volatile neighbourhood.
Huma Siddiqui
