India has significantly escalated its humanitarian mission, Operation Sindhu, by beginning to evacuate not just its own citizens but also Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals stranded in Iran as the conflict with Israel intensifies. Following official requests from Kathmandu and Colombo, the Indian Embassy in Tehran confirmed that the rescue operation has been expanded, with evacuees being flown out via India-coordinated routes .

This marks a rare and meaningful gesture of regional diplomatic cooperation, as Iran permitted India-led evacuations to include citizens of other neighboring countries - an exception that underscores India’s leadership and trust in the mission . Earlier waves under Operation Sindhu have successfully brought over 517 Indian nationals back to safety, including 110 students evacuated through Armenia and flights landing in Delhi this past weekend.

As hostilities escalate, India is mobilizing multiple flights and ground convoys through Turkmenistan and Armenia, ensuring that citizens - regardless of nationality - reach secure transit points. The move highlights India’s emerging role as a regional crisis‑responder and its commitment to humanitarian leadership during global conflicts.