Why in NEWS
India launched Operation Sindhu to safely evacuate Indian citizens from Iran via Armenia, as fears of escalating conflict involving Israel, the US, and Iran intensified.
The operation highlights Armenia’s geostrategic value, due to its direct land link to Iran and friendly ties with India.
Key Concepts
| Term/Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Operation Sindhu | India’s evacuation mission from Iran via Armenia amid rising conflict threats. |
| Nurduz-Agarak crossing | Border point between Iran and Armenia used for evacuation. |
| International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) | Trade and transit corridor connecting India with Eurasia via Iran, Armenia, and Russia. |
| PINAKA & Akash-1S | Indian-made rocket and air defence systems supplied to Armenia. |
News in Simple Terms
- Armenia, which shares a 44 km border with Iran, offers a safe and friendly evacuation route.
- The Nurduz-Agarak crossing, connected by a 730 km road to Tehran, is being used for movement.
- Other borders (e.g., with Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan) are either hostile, unsafe, or diplomatically closed to India.
- Armenia’s strong diplomatic ties and defence cooperation with India make it a trusted partner.
Why Armenia for Operation Sindhu?
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Geostrategic Location | – Shares a direct border with Iran. – Closest and safest land route from Tehran (730 km highway). |
| Limited Alternatives | – Pakistan: Unavailable due to tensions. – Azerbaijan & Turkey: Pro-Pakistan stance. – Afghanistan: No ties with Taliban regime. – Iraq & Turkmenistan: Conflict zones or remote. |
| Strong Bilateral Ties | – Armenia backs India on Kashmir and UNSC seat. – India is top defence supplier to Armenia since 2022 (USD 250 million deal). |
| Regional Connectivity | – Armenia part of INSTC, enhancing trade and evacuation routes through the Caucasus. |
Other Key Indian Evacuation Operations
| Operation | Year | Location | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operation Kaveri | 2023 | Sudan | Military conflict |
| Operation Ajay | 2023 | Israel | Israel–Hamas war |
| Operation Ganga | 2022 | Ukraine | Russia-Ukraine war |
| Operation Devi Shakti | 2021 | Afghanistan | Taliban takeover |
| Operation Samudra Setu | 2020 | Various (via sea) | Covid-19 evacuation |
| Operation Raahat | 2015 | Yemen | Civil conflict |
| Safe Homecoming | 2011 | Libya | Arab Spring crisis |
In a Nutshell
Memory Code: “SINDHU ARM LINK”
S – Sindhu mission
I – Iran evacuation
N – Nurduz-Agarak crossing
D – Defence deals with Armenia
H – Highway link to Tehran
U – Unfriendly neighbours avoided
A – Armenia’s strong diplomatic support
R – Regional trade role via INSTC
M – Military supplies (PINAKA, Akash)
L – Libya, Yemen… past evacuations
I – India’s consistent citizen rescue record
N – Non-conflict evacuation route
K – Kashmir support from Armenia
Prelims Practice Questions
- What is the primary reason India chose Armenia as an evacuation route for Operation Sindhu?
A. Air route availability
B. Maritime proximity
C. Direct land route and diplomatic ties
D. Presence of Indian diaspora - Which of the following Indian military equipment has been supplied to Armenia?
A. BrahMos
B. Agni V
C. Akash-1S
D. Tejas - Operation Devi Shakti was associated with the evacuation from which country?
A. Sudan
B. Afghanistan
C. Libya
D. Yemen
Mains Practice Questions
- (GS Paper 2 – International Relations)
Discuss the strategic role of Armenia in India’s foreign policy and evacuation operations with reference to Operation Sindhu. - (GS Paper 3 – Internal Security)
Evaluate the challenges and significance of India’s foreign evacuation missions. How do such operations reflect India’s global standing?
Prelims Answers with Explanation
| Q No. | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Armenia offers a direct, safe land route and has strong ties with India. |
| 2 | C | India supplied Akash-1S and PINAKA systems to Armenia. |
| 3 | B | Operation Devi Shakti involved evacuating Indians from Afghanistan post-Taliban takeover. |
