India has expanded its ongoing evacuation mission, Operation Sindhu, to include citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka stranded in Iran, following requests from both governments. The decision comes as the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies, with the war entering its ninth day and no diplomatic breakthrough in sight.

The Indian Embassy in Iran announced on Saturday that evacuation assistance will now be extended beyond Indian nationals. “On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy’s evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover Citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka,” the embassy posted on X.

India launched Operation Sindhu earlier this week to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran after hostilities between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically. Israel’s June 13 airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites under “Operation Rising Lion” triggered a fierce retaliation from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which launched hundreds of drones and missiles at strategic Israeli targets under “Operation True Promise 3.”

As of June 21, a total of 517 Indian nationals have been evacuated under Operation Sindhu, according to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi at 3:00 AM on Saturday, bringing back a fresh batch of evacuees. “Operation Sindhu continues,” Jaiswal posted on X.

Photographs from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport showed relieved students and professionals arriving from Mashhad, Iran—one of the areas affected by the deteriorating security situation.

India’s proactive role in assisting citizens of neighboring nations reflects its growing diplomatic outreach and humanitarian commitment in crisis zones. The expansion of Operation Sindhu builds on India’s legacy of large-scale evacuation efforts. These include Operation Kaveri in 2023 during the Sudan crisis, Operation Ajay during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, and Operation Devi Shakti in 2021 after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

Other past missions like Operation Ganga (Ukraine, 2022), Operation Samudra Setu (COVID-19, 2020), Operation Raahat (Yemen, 2015), and Operation Safe Homecoming (Libya, 2011) further underscore India’s reputation for successfully conducting complex international rescue operations under high-risk conditions.

With the Israel-Iran conflict still unfolding, Indian officials have signaled that Operation Sindhu will remain active and adaptive, ensuring the safety of all Indian nationals and extending support where feasible to neighboring countries in need.

In a significant step towards bolstering naval aviation capabilities, India and France formally launched the Rafale Marine programme during a bilateral meeting held at the Paris Air Show on June 19.

Also Read: India, France Finalize Agreement for 26 Rafale-M Fighters for Indian Navy

The Indian delegation was led by Dinesh Kumar, Joint Secretary and Acquisition Manager (Maritime Systems) in the Ministry of Defence, while the French side was headed by Lieutenant General Gael Diaz De Tuesta, Director General of Armament.

The meeting marked a milestone in India’s efforts to enhance its naval strike capabilities through the acquisition of the Rafale Marine fighter jet, which is set to complement the Indian Air Force’s existing fleet of Rafale aircraft. The naval variant is expected to operate from aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant, providing a powerful edge in maritime operations.

French defence officials confirmed that the discussions at the Paris Air Show served as the formal launch of the programme. The Rafale Marine jets will be equipped with advanced avionics, carrier landing gear, and weapons systems, tailored to Indian Navy specifications.

The engagement underscores the growing strategic defence partnership between India and France, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to expanding collaboration across multiple domains, including maritime security, joint development, and technology transfer.

As India continues its military modernization drive, the Rafale Marine programme is poised to play a pivotal role in strengthening the Indian Navy’s blue-water operational capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Royal Navy has reportedly declined Air India’s offer to use hangar space for its F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, which has been parked in the open at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14 following an emergency landing.

The fifth-generation fighter, part of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group, landed after the pilot cited low fuel. Since then, British aviation engineers have been working to resolve a persistent hydraulic system malfunction that has grounded the aircraft.

According to sources, the Royal Navy’s decision to keep the aircraft outside a hangar stems from heightened concerns over the F-35B’s sensitive and classified technologies. The American-origin fighter jet is equipped with advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare systems, making it one of the most protected military assets in the world.

Security experts believe that parking the aircraft in an Indian civilian hangar may risk exposure of proprietary technologies. The UK’s apprehension reflects standard military protocol regarding the safeguarding of high-value defence assets.

Despite the Royal Navy’s current stance, sources say a final inspection or repair phase might prompt reconsideration of the hangar offer. For now, the jet remains under a tight security cordon, drawing the attention of both local onlookers and global defence watchers.

The aircraft’s presence in Kerala follows recent joint Indo-UK maritime exercises in the Indo-Pacific. While the emergency landing was confirmed by the Indian Air Force, which extended full support, the grounded jet continues to await clearance for rejoining its carrier group once the technical issue is resolved.

The ongoing standoff also highlights broader implications for defence cooperation and logistics between India and its strategic partners, as it navigates the fine balance between assistance and operational confidentiality.

In a remarkable act of courage and swift response, the Indian Army’s Sabre Gunners successfully rescued a man trapped in a 50-foot-deep well near Dhoon village in Jammu. The incident, which unfolded earlier this week, highlighted the Army’s preparedness to serve not just in combat but also in life-saving humanitarian missions.

The rescue operation was carried out with the support of local villagers, reflecting seamless coordination between the military and civilians. Soldiers from the Sabre Gunners unit quickly mobilized resources and devised a strategy to bring the man out safely from the deep, narrow well. The individual was pulled out unharmed, much to the relief of the gathered crowd.

The Sabre Gunners, a unit named in recognition of their distinguished performance during the 1965 Indo-Pak war—where they engaged and countered Pakistan’s F-86 Sabre jets—have continued their legacy of service in various capacities. While they are primarily known for their operational capabilities, this recent rescue underscores their versatility and compassion in responding to emergencies beyond the battlefield.

This rescue is another example of the Indian Army’s ongoing involvement in disaster relief and civilian assistance. Similar to “Operation Surya Hope” in 2013, where the Army deployed over 10,000 troops to rescue people stranded during the Uttarakhand floods, this event adds to a growing list of military-led humanitarian efforts across the country.

Local residents praised the soldiers for their timely and courageous action, with many hailing them as heroes. The Indian Army reiterated its commitment to standing with civilians in times of need, reaffirming its role not only as a defender of the nation but also as a pillar of support during crises.

The man is reported to be in stable condition and recovering well. The rescue has since become a point of local pride and a powerful reminder of the Army’s enduring dedication to public service.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a premier defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has secured additional orders worth ₹585 crore since its previous announcement on June 5, 2025. These fresh contracts reaffirm BEL’s expanding footprint in the Indian defence manufacturing ecosystem and further solidify its position as a leading provider of cutting-edge electronic systems for the armed forces.

According to BEL’s official communication, the major orders include highly advanced fire control and sighting systems for missile platforms, which are critical for precision targeting and real-time battlefield decision-making. In addition, the company has received orders for sophisticated communication equipment designed to enhance secure information transfer and interoperability across defence platforms.

The order package also comprises state-of-the-art electronic jammers aimed at disrupting enemy communications and radar systems, thereby providing a tactical edge to Indian forces in electronically contested environments. Alongside hardware components, the contracts cover a wide range of essential spares, maintenance support, and system integration services, ensuring sustained operational capability for deployed systems.

These orders come at a time when India is intensifying efforts to modernize its defence infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign imports. BEL’s growing order book reflects the success of government initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, which have created a conducive environment for indigenous defence production.

In recent years, BEL has emerged as a trusted partner not just for India’s defence forces, but also for civilian applications in sectors such as aerospace, homeland security, and smart cities. With robust R&D capabilities and a portfolio that spans radar systems, naval electronics, night vision devices, avionics, and cyber security solutions, BEL continues to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s defence and strategic landscape.

The company is expected to execute the newly received orders over the next few years, with many systems entering production immediately. This surge in order acquisition also bodes well for BEL’s financial outlook and shareholder confidence, indicating steady growth and sustained demand in defence electronics.