Operation Sindhu Evacuation from Iran | 19 Jun 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

India announced launching ‘Operation Sindhu’ to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran through Armenia as fears of an all-out Israeli-American military strikes on Iran increased. 

• It highlighted Armenia’s crucial role as a strategic and viable evacuation route, thanks to its geographic position and strong diplomatic ties with India. 
• Iran borders Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan to the north. It shares borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east, Iraq to the west, Turkey to the northwest, and has a southern coastline along the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.  

What Makes Armenia Strategically Important for Operation Sindhu? 

• Geostrategic Location: Armenia’s 44-km border with Iran and the Nurduz-Agarak crossing, linked to Tehran by a 730 km highway, provide the most practical and safe land route for swift Indian evacuation. 
• Limited Alternatives: Other borders pose challenges: 
  • Pakistan: Geopolitical tensions (post-Operation Sindoor) made the Iran-Pakistan border inaccessible. 
  • Turkey & Azerbaijan: Both support Pakistan, making their borders with Iran unfavorable for India. 
  • Afghanistan: No diplomatic ties with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. 
  • Iraq & Turkmenistan: Iraq is an active conflict zone with airports closed, while Turkmenistan’s border is remote and underdeveloped. 
• Strong Diplomatic Relations: Armenia’s support for India at international fora (e.g. Kashmir issue, UNSC seat). 
  • In 2022, India surpassed Russia as Armenia’s top military supplier with a USD 250 million deal for PINAKA rocket launchers, Akash-1S air defense, and other weapons. 
• Regional Connectivity: Armenia is integral to the International North-South Transport Corridor, aligning with India’s broader strategy to secure trade and evacuation routes through the Caucasus region.