India has launched Operation Ajay, a major operation aimed at evacuating its citizens from conflict-hit Israel. This initiative, announced by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, underscores India’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its nationals abroad. The evacuation efforts are being coordinated with the use of special chartered flights and other logistical arrangements.
This marks India’s second large-scale evacuation operation this year, following Operation Kaveri, which successfully brought back several thousand Indian citizens from conflict-torn Sudan in April-May. Operation Ajay comes in response to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Israel, where escalating conflict has made travel and living conditions precarious.
The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has already begun reaching out to registered Indian citizens, with the first batch receiving emails regarding the special flight expected to depart for India on Thursday. Additional messages will follow for subsequent flights, ensuring a systematic and orderly evacuation process.
The decision to launch Operation Ajay comes in the wake of recent events that have significantly disrupted air travel to and from Israel. The suspension of Air India’s Delhi-Tel Aviv route due to security concerns following an attack by Hamas, followed by a massive Israeli military strike on Gaza Strip, has made the region a high-risk area. The involvement of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, with rocket attacks on Israel’s northern territory, has further escalated tensions. This situation has led to the cancellation of numerous international flights, creating an urgent need for evacuation measures.
Operation Ajay is expected to be executed on a scale that matches the demand, with the government ready to expand capacities as needed. The establishment of a 24-hour control room, operating from New Delhi, Tel Aviv, and Ramallah in the Palestinian territory, reflects India’s dedication to ensuring a swift and coordinated response to the evolving crisis.
The evacuation effort is particularly significant due to the presence of Indian students in Israeli universities and institutions, as well as a substantial number of Indian traders, IT professionals, domestic workers, and caregivers in the region. Additionally, Israel is home to a significant population of Indian-origin Jews with roots in Kochi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, further underscoring the importance of this humanitarian mission.
It’s worth noting that in May, India and Israel signed an agreement allowing the recruitment of 42,000 caregivers and workers for Israel, highlighting the strong people-to-people ties between the two nations.
Operation Ajay not only demonstrates India’s commitment to the safety of its citizens but also serves as a testament to its proactive and humanitarian foreign policy approach. The evacuation effort aligns with India’s long-standing tradition of extending a helping hand to its citizens in times of crisis, regardless of their location on the globe.
