Evacuation operations by India show how much the country cares about keeping its people safe. These missions happen for different reasons like natural disasters, conflicts, or emergencies. When these situations occur, India plans carefully and works together with different groups like the military and diplomats to bring people to safety. They use different kinds of transportation like planes and ships to do this.
The people who need help the most, like those who are sick or in immediate danger, are the first ones to be helped. India doesn’t just help its own citizens, but also people from other countries who are in trouble. For further details regarding Evacuation Operations by India, scroll down.
Evacuation Operations by India
If any candidates are interested in joining the respected defense forces, it’s good to know about some important operations they’ve been a part of. These operations make all Indians proud. It’s also helpful to understand things like the organization of our forces, their achievements, the equipment they use, and the different ranks.
The Indian Armed Forces are known for getting involved in various missions, both within India and in other countries. They do more than just protect the nation from security threats. They also play a big role in helping out during natural disasters, rescuing people, and fighting against terrorism. Candidates are advised to have a look at the list of Evacuation Operations by India from the below table.
List of Evacuation Operations by India
Candidates can go through the List of Evacuation Operations by India from the below table:-Â
List of Evacuation Operations by India | ||
Operation Name | Year | Purpose |
Operation Poomalai | 1987 | A mission by the Indian Air Force to airdrop supplies over Jaffna, Sri Lanka, supporting the Tamil Tigers during the Sri Lankan Civil War. |
Kuwait Airlift | 1990 | India evacuated over 1,70,000 stranded Indians from Kuwait after Iraqi soldiers invaded. |
Operation Sukoon | 2006 | India rescued citizens from Israel and Lebanon conflict, known as the ‘Beirut Sealift’, evacuating about 2,280 people. |
Operation Safe Homecoming | 2011 | India evacuated 15,400 Indian nationals stranded in conflict-torn Libya by air and sea. |
Operation Maitri | 2015 | A joint relief and rescue operation by the Indian government and the Indian Armed forces in the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake. |
Operation Raahat | 2015 | Under Operation Raahat, India evacuated nearly 5,600 people from Yemen. |
Operation Sankat Mochan | 2016 | The operation was carried out in response to the 2016 clashes in Juba. |
Brussels Evacuation | 2016 | In March 2016, Belgium was hit by terrorist strikes at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, and one at Maalbeek Metro station in central Brussels. A total of 242 Indians, including 28 crew members, returned to India on a Jet Airways flight. |
Operation Insaniyat | 2017 | Due to the large influx of Myanmar refugees into Bangladesh, India’s Ministry of External Affairs launched Operation Insaniyat to assist Bangladesh in overcoming the humanitarian crisis. |
Operation Nistar | 2018 | It is an Indian Naval operation to evacuate 38 Indian nationals from Yemen’s cyclone-ravaged Socotra island. |
Operation Samudra Setu | 2020 | It was a naval operation as part of the national effort to bring home Indian citizens from overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic. |
Vande Bharat | 2020 | When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, the Centre launched the Vande Bharat Mission to bring back Indian citizens stranded in foreign countries. |
Operation Devi Shakti | 2021 | An evacuation operation by the IAF was kicked off in August 2021 to safely bring back Indian nationals from Afghanistan after the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the fall of Kabul, the capital city of the Taliban. |
Operation Ganga | 2022 | It is an evacuation mission to bring back all the Indian nationals who are currently stranded in Ukraine. |
Operation Dost | 2023 | Operation Dost is an ongoing search and rescue operation launched by the Indian government to assist Syria and Turkey following a violent earthquake that devastated both countries on February 6, 2023. |
Operation Kaveri | 2023 | The Indian government initiated ‘Operation Kaveri’ to rescue over 3,000 Indian people stranded in Sudan, an African country tense due to fighting between the army and a paramilitary force. |
Top 16 Evacuation Operations by India
-
Operation Poomalai (1987)
 In 1987, during the Sri Lankan Civil War, India’s Air Force swooped in on June 4th for what’s known as Operation Poomalai, or Eagle Mission 4. They dropped vital supplies over the besieged town of Jaffna in Sri Lanka to support the Tamil Tigers.
-
Kuwait Airlift (1990)
When Kuwait was in dire straits with Iraqi soldiers pouring in, leaving the public stranded, India jumped into action. Over 1,70,000 Indians stranded in Kuwait were evacuated and brought back home.
-
Operation Sukoon (2006)
In 2006, during the Israel-Lebanon conflict, India executed a daring rescue operation, famously dubbed the ‘Beirut Sealift’. It stands as the largest naval rescue mission since the historic ‘Dunkirk’ evacuation.
-
Operation Safe Homecoming (2011)
In 2011, amidst the turmoil in Libya, India’s Navy and Air India teamed up for Operation Safe Homecoming. They successfully evacuated a staggering 15,400 Indian nationals from the conflict-ridden region.
-
Operation Maitri (2015)
After the devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake, India launched a joint relief and rescue operation. This effort by the Indian government and the Armed Forces brought back over 5,000 Indians and even evacuated 170 foreign nationals from countries like the US, the UK, Russia, and Germany.
-
Operation Raahat (2015)
When Yemen was in the grip of conflict, with thousands of Indians stranded and air access blocked, India sprang into action. Under Operation Raahat, nearly 5,600 people were successfully evacuated from Yemen.
-
Operation Sankat Mochan (2016)
In response to the 2016 clashes in Juba during the South Sudanese Civil War, the Indian Air Force executed Operation Sankat Mochan. Its mission was to evacuate Indian citizens and other foreign nationals from South Sudan.
-
Brussels Evacuation (2016)
In March 2016, Belgium was hit by terrorist strikes. A total of 242 Indians, including 28 crew members, returned to India on a Jet Airways flight in the wake of these tragic events.
-
Operation Insaniyat (2017)
 Due to a large influx of Myanmar refugees into Bangladesh, India’s Ministry of External Affairs launched Operation Insaniyat. It was a humanitarian effort that provided essential items to the distressed people.
-
Operation Nistar (2018)
After a severe cyclonic storm wreaked havoc around Socotra Island in Yemen, Indian nationals were stranded for nearly ten days. Operation Nistar, an Indian Naval operation, successfully evacuated 38 Indian Nationals from/off Socotra Island.
-
Operation Samudra Setu (2020)
 In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, a naval operation was launched to bring back Indian citizens from overseas. This successful mission brought back 3,992 Indian citizens by sea.
-
Vande Bharat (2020)
With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Centre initiated the Vande Bharat Mission. In multiple phases, about 60 lakhs Indians were brought back from foreign countries as of April 30, 2021.
-
Operation Devi Shakti (2021)
In August 2021, an evacuation operation was launched to safely bring back Indian nationals from Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul.
-
Operation Ganga (2022)
 This mission was launched to evacuate Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine due to heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
-
Operation Dost (2023)
Operation Dost is an ongoing search and rescue operation launched by the Indian government to assist Syria and Turkey following a violent earthquake that devastated both countries on February 6, 2023.
-
Operation Kaveri (2023)
 ‘Operation Kaveri’ was initiated to rescue over 3,000 Indian people stranded in Sudan, a country tense due to fighting between the army and a paramilitary force. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar reported that around 500 Indians have arrived at Port Sudan, and the government is working to bring them home through ships and aircraft.
Evacuation Operations by India Important Facts
- Evacuation missions, conducted by India, extend their reach globally, emphasizing India’s dedication to ensuring the safety of its citizens worldwide.
- These operations encompass a wide array of scenarios, ranging from conflicts, natural disasters, civil unrest, to health emergencies, showcasing their diverse purposes.
- To execute evacuations, detailed planning and seamless coordination between entities such as the Ministry of External Affairs, armed forces, and diplomatic channels are essential.
- Depending on the specific needs and accessibility of affected regions, a combination of transportation modes – including flights, naval vessels, and overland routes – are utilized.
- The highest priority is given to vulnerable groups, such as those with urgent medical needs or facing immediate danger, underscoring a commitment to preserving lives.
- India’s humanitarian efforts extend beyond its citizens, as it provides assistance to foreign nationals in distress, exemplifying a global commitment to humanitarian endeavors.
- Evacuees are provided with comprehensive support, including the deployment of specialized medical teams and meticulous logistical arrangements for essentials like food, water, and accommodation.
- Clear and timely communication is maintained through official announcements, social media, and embassy communications to ensure that citizens and their families are kept well-informed.
- Citizens are advised to remain informed, register with embassies, keep crucial documents accessible, and have an emergency kit prepared in case of potential evacuation scenarios.
- In most cases, the Indian government takes on the financial responsibility associated with evacuation operations, ensuring that citizens can return home without facing undue financial strain.
Recommended Articles:
List of Top 16 Richest Cricketers In the World – Highly Paid Cricketers
Top 10 Richest People in India in 2024
ICC ODI World Cup Winners List from 1975 to 2023, Australia Wins World Cup 2023
Complete IPL Winners List from 2008 to 2023
T20 World Cup Winners List from 2007 to 2023
Top 10 Powerful Countries In The World By Military Strength 2024
Evacuation Operations By India FAQs
What was the latest big evacuation operation India carried out?
Ans. India's most recent major evacuation mission was called "Operation Dost." It kicked off in February 2023 to lend a helping hand to Syria and Turkey after a severe earthquake rocked both countries.
Do we have an estimate of how many people were rescued during Operation Dost?
Ans. Operation Dost has managed to safely bring back thousands of folks from Syria and Turkey. The exact count might change as the operation continues.
Are all these evacuations linked to conflicts or natural disasters?
Ans. While a lot of evacuation missions are in response to conflicts or natural calamities, India has also launched operations for different reasons. These include scenarios like civil unrest, public health emergencies, and other critical situations.
Do they sort evacuees into different groups during these missions?
Ans. Yes, they often categorize evacuees based on factors like medical conditions, level of vulnerability, or how urgent their situation is. People in immediate danger or with special needs, like medical cases or stranded students, are given top priority.
How does the government make sure evacuees stay safe and comfortable throughout the journey?
Ans. The government works closely with various teams to offer vital support. This includes medical squads, security teams, and arrangements for essentials like food, water, and places to stay during the evacuation journey.Â