India has carried out many evacuation operations to bring its citizens home from crisis zones. Recently, the government shared data on these missions. Notably, it covered missions from 2021 to 2026. Moreover, the data shows the number of people evacuated and the cost.
Major Evacuation Operations
- Operation Devi Shakti (2021, Afghanistan): 669 people evacuated, including 15 other foreign nationals and 206 Afghans. Cost: ₹1.90 crore.
- Operation Ganga (2022, Ukraine): 18,282 people evacuated. Cost: ₹116.58 crore.
- Operation Kaveri (2023, Sudan): 4,097 people evacuated, including 136 foreign nationals. Cost: ₹45.63 crore.
- Operation Ajay (2023, Israel): 1,343 people evacuated, including 14 OCI card holders and 20 foreign nationals. Cost: ₹16.87 crore.
- Operation Indravati (2024, Haiti): 17 people evacuated. Cost: ₹48.34 lakh.
- Operation Sindhu (2025, Iran and Israel): 3,597 people from Iran and 818 from Israel. Cost: ₹27.68 crore.
Other Missions
India also ran several smaller missions. For example, it evacuated 86 people from Syria and 135 from Iraq. Similarly, it repatriated 1,741 Indians from the Myanmar–Thailand border area in 2025–26. Also, under the HADR operation Sagar Bandhu in Sri Lanka, IAF flights evacuated 424 people. In addition, 2,076 more travelled home on commercial flights. Finally, in 2026, India moved 2,557 citizens from Iran via Armenia during the West Asia crisis.
How These Operations Work
The Ministry of External Affairs leads such missions. Also, the Indian Air Force, Navy and Air India often take part. Furthermore, embassies set up helplines and register citizens. Thus, the operations combine diplomacy and logistics.
Why Evacuations Matter
India has one of the world’s largest diasporas. Therefore, citizen safety abroad is a major foreign policy duty. Also, these missions show India’s growing ability to act fast in crises. Notably, India often helps nationals of other countries too.
Why Evacuation Operations Matter for UPSC and UKPSC
Notably, operation names are a favourite prelims topic. So, remember each name, country and year. Also, link these missions to India’s diaspora policy. For official updates, also visit the Ministry of External Affairs. Next, for a related story, read about the US Senate’s Russia sanctions bill.
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