When the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in 2022, India quickly stepped in with ‘Operation Ganga’ to bring back thousands of Indians, mostly students, from the war zone. But now, as tensions rise in West Asia, a similar evacuation from Iran is proving to be much harder.
There are around 10,000 Indians currently in Iran, including 1,500–2,000 students and about 6,000 workers. Some Indian sailors and people involved in shipping operations are also in the country. In contrast, about 22,500 Indians were brought home from Ukraine during Operation Ganga.
This time, the Indian government hasn’t announced a named operation like it did for Ukraine. One key reason is that logistics and security issues are making things more complicated. During the Ukraine evacuation, India could use nearby countries like Poland, Romania, and Hungary for smooth airlifts, 90 flights were used, including 14 by the Indian Air Force.
But Iran is different. Geopolitical and geographic barriers are getting in the way. For instance, Pakistan’s airspace is closed to India, and land routes through Afghanistan and Pakistan aren’t safe or viable. Flying directly out is tough too, as most air routes are restricted.
In Ukraine’s case, many could escape early on because western borders were open, and fighting was focused in the east. Road and rail transport stayed mostly functional, allowing people to travel to safer cities near the border. But in Iran, things are less stable. Israeli airstrikes are happening in multiple areas, not just one region, and the transport network isn’t reliable.
India’s embassy in Tehran has advised citizens to leave the capital and head to safer areas. Around 110 people, mostly students, have already crossed into Armenia, and another 600–700 have moved to Qom, a safer city in central Iran with religious significance.
Other cities like Arak, Isfahan, and Tabriz are off-limits due to military or nuclear installations. Since Iran’s airspace is closed, just like Ukraine’s, the only option left is the land route. So far, Armenia has become the main exit point, thanks to strong ties with India.
Evacuation through Pakistan and Afghanistan is practically ruled out due to poor diplomatic relations and logistics. Azerbaijan is also not preferred because of its recent support for Pakistan. Turkmenistan might be used next, as it’s nearby and more neutral. So, while India is working on bringing its citizens back from Iran, this evacuation is far more complex than what happened in Ukraine because of limited routes, regional politics, and ongoing airstrikes across Iran.
