Executive Summary:
The Ministry of External Affairs addressed the evacuation of Indian citizens from war zones abroad in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2300 on August 1, 2025. The government evacuated 9779 Indian nationals over the last two years, providing free logistical support. The government continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in conflict zones, with ongoing monitoring and communication mechanisms.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Evacuation Statistics (Last Two Years):**
* 9779 Indian nationals evacuated from conflict zones.
* Evacuation provided free of charge, including shelter, food, and international transportation.
* **Country-wise Evacuation Details and Expenditure:**
* Sudan (2023, Operation Kaveri): 4,097 evacuees (including 136 foreign nationals); ₹45.63 crore.
* Israel (2023, Operation Ajay): 1,343 evacuees (including 14 OCI card holders and 20 foreign nationals); ₹16.87 crore.
* Haiti (2024, Operation Indravati): 17 evacuees; ₹48.34 lakh.
* Syria (2024): 77 evacuees; ₹39.95 lakh.
* Iran (2025, Operation Sindhu): 3597 evacuees plus 14 OCI Card holders and 14 foreign nationals; ₹27.68 crore as of date.
* Israel (2025, Operation Sindhu): 818 evacuees
* **Government's Approach to Safety and Evacuation:**
* Highest priority accorded to the safety, security, and well-being of Indian nationals abroad.
* Continuous monitoring of hostile situations and issuance of safety advisories.
* Multiple communication channels available for Indian nationals to contact Indian Missions.
* Evacuation operations launched as needed, involving various stakeholders.
* 24x7 Control Rooms operate during evacuations to provide assistance.
* Constant communication with foreign governments to ensure safety.
* Engagement with airlines, shipping companies, and travel agencies to facilitate evacuations.
Impact Analysis:
**Indian Nationals in War Zones:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from government-organized evacuation operations, logistical support, and safety advisories in conflict zones.
* *Action Required:* Heed government advisories, maintain contact with Indian Missions, and follow safety guidelines issued by local authorities.
**Ministry of External Affairs:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for monitoring conflict zones, coordinating evacuation efforts, and providing support to Indian nationals.
* *Action Required:* Continuously monitor situations, maintain communication channels, coordinate with stakeholders, and execute evacuation plans as needed.
**Indian Missions Abroad:**
* *Impact:* Act as primary points of contact for Indian nationals in conflict zones, providing assistance and facilitating evacuations.
* *Action Required:* Maintain updated contact information, operate helplines, disseminate safety information, and coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs.
**Foreign Governments:**
* *Impact:* Expected to cooperate with the Indian government to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals within their territories.
* *Action Required:* Maintain open communication channels with the Indian government and provide necessary assistance during evacuation efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
Sudan: Country from which Indian nationals were evacuated in 2023 under Operation Kaveri.
Israel: Country from which Indian nationals were evacuated in 2023 and 2025; evacuation operation called Operation Ajay in 2023 and Operation Sindhu in 2025.
Operation Ajay: The name of the evacuation operation from Israel in 2023.
Operation Sindhu: The name of the evacuation operation from Iran in 2025.
Haiti: Country from which Indian nationals were evacuated in 2024 under Operation Indravati.
Operation Indravati: The name of the evacuation operation from Haiti in 2024.
Syria: Country from which Indian nationals were evacuated in 2024.
Iran: Country from which Indian nationals were evacuated in 2025 under Operation Sindhu.
SHRI BENNY BEHANAN: Member of Parliament who posed the question regarding evacuation of Indian citizens.
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: The Indian government ministry responsible for foreign affairs; the entity answering the parliamentary question.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
Operation Kaveri: The name of the evacuation operation from Sudan in 2023.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2300
ANSWERED ON – 01/08/2025
EVACUATION OF INDIANS FROM WAR ZONES ABROAD
2300. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of Indian citizens evacuated from foreign
countries affected by war or armed conflict during the last two
years;
(b) the details of evacuations conducted during each conflict,
country-wise;
(c) the total expenditure incurred by the Government for these
evacuation missions, including transportation, lodging, and other
logistical support;
(d) whether the evacuees were charged any amount or provided
assistance free of cost;
(e) whether the Government plans to continue such evacuation
operations in ongoing and future foreign conflict zones, if so, the
details thereof;
1(f) the arrangements in place for ensuring the safety of Indian
nationals working or residing in war-prone countries; and
(g) whether the Government has entered into agreements with
foreign governments, airlines, or international agencies for
emergency evacuation support, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to d) During the last two years, the Government of India has
safely evacuated 9779 stranded Indian nationals from conflict
zones. During these evacuations, the Government provided
logistical support, including safe shelter, food and international
transportation by arranging special evacuation flights for the
stranded Indian nationals on gratis basis. The country-wise details
of evacuation operations, along with expenditure incurred are
placed below.
Expenditure
Number of
Year Country & Name incurred on
evacuated Indian
of the Operation evacuations
nationals
(in ₹)
2023 Sudan 4,097 45.63 crore
2(including 136
Operation Kaveri foreign nationals)
Israel 1,343
(including 14 OCI
2023 Operation Ajay card holders and 16.87 crore
20 foreign
nationals)
Haiti
2024 Operation 17 48.34 lakh
Indravati
2024 Syria 77 39.95 lakh
Iran 3597
Operation Sindhu (plus 14 OCI Card
2025
holders and 14 27.68 crore as
foreign nationals) on date.
Israel
2025 818
Operation Sindhu
(e to g) Government accords the highest priority to the safety,
security and well-being of Indian nationals abroad. The Government
closely monitors developing hostile situations in war zones. As per
3prevailing circumstances, Government issues advisories to caution
Indian nationals to avoid unnecessary travel, follow safety
guidelines issued by the local authorities and remain in touch with
the Indian Missions on published helpline numbers. Various other
communication mechanisms are in place for the Indian nationals to
approach the Indian Missions/posts by email, multilingual 24x7
emergency numbers, social media, toll free helplines, whatsapp
numbers etc. Upon any emergent situation, Government launches
evacuation operations, involving various stakeholders, to safely
evacuate stranded Indian nationals from conflict zones. During
evacuation process, 24x7 Control Rooms are operated at
headquarters and abroad to provide information and assistance to
the stranded Indian nationals and facilitate their evacuation.
Government remains in constant touch with its counterparts in
foreign governments to ensure the safety and security of Indian
nationals residing in war zones. It engages with various domestic
and international airlines, shipping companies and travel agencies
in coordination with Indian missions to facilitate safe evacuation of
Indian nationals. The government is committed to ensure safety and
well-being of Indian nationals abroad and initiate these efforts, upon
eventualities.
*****
4